Hey folks thank you so much for the support this story has received so far, I'm genuinely enjoying it so far writing has always been a bit therapeutic for me. This chapter will introduce the the third Genin to the team. I don't want to spoil it by rambling on so without further ado let's jump into it.
Vonta01- Thanks for reading I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!
Guest- Again thank you for reading I appreciate the support.
Deniswanheda- I'm sorry I can't speak or read Spanish. Not really sure if that is Spanish but I think it is lol. If anyone could translate his comment to English for me it would be much appreciated!
Team Kakashi learned a great deal from there first mission. Naruto realized first hand that the ninja world wasn't for the faint of heart. Lee unfortunately figured out it was you or the enemy, there isn't always another solution outside of survival. But both boys recovered nicely, after there week off they marched back with a renewed vigor. Taking several B-ranks along with a few C-Ranks. Kakashi was impressed with the two, he saw potential within from the start. But they have been exceeding expectations since the start. Naruto was a natural leader on the battlefield he was quick making plans and executing them, he never lacked moral either he would find a way to complete the mission and complete it with his team in tact.
But that's not to say Lee hasn't been just as impressive, naturally Lee favors Gai in terms of combat and even thought. And while they are similar Lee seems to be a bit more perceptive than Kakashi's life long rival was at that age. He knows exactly when to strike when Naruto gives an opening, and even vice versa. It's safe to say the duo will be a key piece in the future of Konoha.
Speaking of the future of Konoha, Kakashi was no fool he realized his team was running out of there allotted time to find a third. While he didn't doubt the boys capabilities of adapting to a new squad, he couldn't help but think of what a disservice it would be to split the boys up. But the copy ninja didn't plan on sitting around about it, no he had been earning favors for many years and he planned to cash them all if it meant he could set his pupils on the right track to succeed.
"Ah Kakashi to what do I owe the pleasure?" Hiruzen asked as he and Jirayia paused there conversation.
"I have a favor to ask, well actually both of you." Kakashi said scratching the back of his head.
"I'm listening." Jirayia spoke up after downing a shot of sake.
"Well I'd like to call Tsunade back to the leaf." Kakashi replied deciding to cut straight to the topic at hand.
"And I'd like to be twenty years younger but here we are." Hiruzen stated bluntly getting a chuckle from his student.
"I wasn't joking Hokage-Sama, and you are coming with me to get her." Kakashi said pointing the last bit of information straight at Jirayia making his eyes bulge.
"Listen Gaki I understand why you would want her back hell we all do, but I'm telling you she won't come." Jirayia said voice laced with regret.
"I understand your pause Jirayia-Sama but it's time, Lord third is old and unfortunately he's not getting younger, you are away from the village for probably 10 months a year. Tell me how well do you think we could do if the cloud or stone decided to come marching through those gates." Kakashi explained casually but as equally determined.
"I won't disagree with anything you just said, but I fail to see how you plan on getting her to agree to come back?" Hiruzen replied.
"It's not a request sir, I'm taking the hat sooner or later I believe we've established that much. It's time for her to come back and help the village, she doesn't have to be active duty, what I really want is for her to train the next generation to help prevent some of the things past generations have had to endure." Kakashi stated getting a brow raise from both the older shinobi present.
"So you plan on dragging her back to the leaf?" Jirayia asked astonished.
"Not at all that's what you and Naruto are for." Kakashi said with an eye smile, making Hiruzen chuckle and Jirayia choke on the glass of sake he was currently drinking.
"Listen here Gaki I'm not going to get punched through a wall because you want her to come back to the leaf." Jirayia replied after regaining his breath.
"I suppose you don't have to, I guess I could just show Naruto the rasengan myself on the way there." Kakashi replied making Jirayia's face go red.
"I knew you had the potential for this job. I'll agree to this mission as long as you will do one for me on your way to meet Tsunade. I need you to drop this envelope off to Kusa, every half decade we draw up our negotiations for our continued alliance. Give them a day to look it over and then you will be on your way." Hiruzen replied handing the envelope over to Kakashi.
"Fair enough, Jirayia-Sama if you would please meet Naruto and I at the gate let's say 0800 we will be on our way." Kakashi replied with a soft wave before body flickering away.
"That boy picked up more than I thought from Minato." Jirayia grumbled as he got up and left the tower as well.
Hiruzen was left alone in his office to ponder over the recent events. The old Kage was tired, he never wanted to take the hat again after handing it to Minato all those years ago but unfortunately the ninja world doesn't take what you want into consideration. But he couldn't deny the potential of the younger generations, he knew the leaf would be in good hands with Kakashi leading. And with that final thought the old man decided to retire for the night.
After dealing with the Hokage and Jirayia, Kakashi had one more stop to make. This one however wasn't going to be as easy as the last unfortunately. To soften the blow he decided to pick up some takeout from ichiraku. After giving up a hefty amount of ryo to the friendly stand owner he made his way through the village to see his knucklehead student.
"One second!" Naruto replied after hearing a few knocks on the door.
"Ah Naruto may I come in?" Kakashi asked strangely polite in Naruto's humble opinion.
"Um sure is everything ok Sensei?" Naruto asked as he moved out of the way to let his Sensei in.
"There fine I just have a few things I want to discuss with you before you get blindsided." Kakashi finally said as he set the ramen on the table.
"It must be pretty important if you have to bring ramen to soften the blow." Naruto replied showing his sensei just how far he has matured.
"Indeed, well first and foremost we have a mission tomorrow it will be a long one I want you to pack for about a month." Kakashi said as he and Naruto were passing the food around.
"Ok I don't get how that will be such a big deal though." Naruto said hesitantly.
"Naruto have you noticed how you are the only Genin team with two Genin and two Jonin?" Kakashi asked and watched as the gears in Naruto's head began to spin.
"You're leaving me?" Naruto said almost so quiet Kakashi couldn't hear him.
"In a sense, I made a deal with Hokage-Sama to give this team we're on a year to find you a third Genin of my choosing. We're closing in on that year, now to go along with that I was never going to be able to train you for an extended period of time. Tell me Naruto do you know what the sharingan is?" Kakashi asked.
"It's the Uchiha blood line limit?" Naruto half answered half asked.
"Correct, and I'm sure you're aware we only have one Uchiha left in the village?" Kakashi followed up getting a nod in return.
"I'm not following Sensei?" Naruto said flatly, Kakashi then repositioned his head band to show Naruto exactly what he was talking about.
"I'm the only one who can help him figure out how to use the Sharingan." Kakashi finished.
"Oh." Naruto replied understanding but still hurt.
"But it goes even further than that, I won't be taking on a team at all Naruto. I'm set to become the next Hokage, probably when we get back from our mission." Kakashi explained.
"What the hell! That's awesome Sensei!" Naruto said surprised at first, then immediately happy.
"I don't think I share your same feelings but thank you nonetheless. Listen Naruto I'm telling you all this to say I'll always be here for you. I may not be able to lead you on missions or train with you but I'm not abandoning you." Kakashi said with a hint of awkwardness.
"Thanks Sensei! But uh where does that leave me?" Naruto replied after gathering his thoughts for a second.
"Well that's a bit complicated, if I can find a suitable third Genin you will still be with Gai and Lee. If I can't I'm not exactly sure yet. But there is someone who would like to take you on as an apprentice. Before you ask who you will find out tomorrow." Kakashi explained before Naruto went crazy trying to figure out who it was.
"I hope we find someone, I've kinda started to like bushy brows and bushy brow Sensei a little." Naruto mumbled trying to hide how much he actually cared.
"Don't lose hope, but also I'm sure whatever happens you will end up with comrades you will come to respect and cherish. I also have something I wanted to ask you." Kakashi said.
The next morning came early for Naruto, he had a difficult time processing everything Kakashi dropped on him at once. Safe to say the redhead didn't get as much sleep as he would have liked. But when has that ever stopped Naruto Uzumaki, after having his clones make breakfast and clean his apartment he showered ate and went about his day eager to await his new journey. Naruto looked at the sun and realized he has about twenty minutes before he had to meet his sensei, that was perfect he took off towards his favorite ramen stand to ask a favor. After a couple minutes of travel he made it right as they were opening.
"Hey Jiji, is Ayame around?" Naruto asked the old chef cleaning the counters.
"Ah Naruto nice to see you. No she isn't at the moment can I take a message?" Teuchi asked kindly.
"Sure just please give her this envelope, it's a key to my apartment I have a long mission and I need someone to water my plants when I'm gone. I left I few ryo in there for the trouble. I'm off thanks old man I'll cya before ya know it!" Naruto waved as he took off towards the gate.
'Ah Kushina Minato your boy has turned out to be quite the wonderful young lad.' Teuchi thought as he put the envelope in his pocket.
"Where's the rest of the team Sensei?" Naruto asked walking up to Kakashi who was lazily reading a book.
"Gai and Lee will stay here in the village and train. This mission requires the both of us and one more person." Kakashi replied.
"Is it the guy hiding in that tree?" Naruto asked pointing at said tree, making Kakashi's lone visible eye widen slightly.
"How did you know he was there Naruto?" Kakashi asked surprised as Jirayia hopped down to join the group.
"I'm not sure how to explain it really? There is certain people I can just feel when I'm close enough. Like you and Hokage-Jiji." Naruto tried to reason.
"That's the sign of a sensor on our hands. Not half bad Gaki." Jirayia replied with a hearty pat on the boys back.
"First off who are you? And second what's a sensor?" Naruto asked after almost being knocked over by the boisterous man.
"This is Jirayia-Sama he is one of the legendary Sannin. And also the man who would like to take you on as an apprentice." Kakashi replied cutting Jirayia off before he could go into dance.
"Dammit brat why did you have to steal my thunder! Anyways your Sensei is right, I'd like to show you a few things. And to answer your other question a sensor is someone who has the ability to sense people near them. Kakashi you told me this kid was a genius?" Jirayia half questioned.
"I didn't specify what type of genius, he a genius of hard work and quick thinking. Outside of the battle field he isn't always to bright." Kakashi said getting a few remarks from Naruto.
"Sue me I didn't exactly get a proper education." Naruto replied to the both of them.
"Well that may be true but I would think a future Hokage could get past that." Kakashi replied knowing just what buttons to press.
"Whatever so what can you teach me old man?" Naruto asked as they made there way out of the village.
"Who the hell you calling old shorty?" Jirayia fired back.
"At least I can grow, you aren't getting any younger though!" Naruto replied to which Jirayia thumped the top of his head knocking the preteen down.
"Doesn't matter you're twenty years to young to ever give me a challenge. Now do you want to get some training or not?" Jirayia asked as the boy managed to pick himself up off the ground.
"Fine what am I going to learn?" Naruto asked rubbing the bump on his head.
"Take this water balloon I want you to bust it with just your chakra alone." Jirayia stated.
"Is that even possible?" Naruto questioned thinking that Jirayia was trying to pull one over on him.
"Maybe not for someone as weak as you." Jirayia taunted as he showed Naruto how easy it was for the sage to pop it.
"Whatever I'll figure out how to pop it in half the time you did." Naruto shot back before trying once more.
After a few days of travel the group had made there way to Kusa, Kakashi ordered Naruto to find a hotel and check them in for two rooms. Jirayia had a few contacts within Kusa so he figured he might as well ask around see what was going on in the spy world. Kakashi wondered about there village for a bit, it wasn't the first time he has been to Kusa but it has been quite some time.
As the copy nin strolled through the village book in head but only as a front to hide the fact he was being very observant. It didn't take very long for Kakashi to figure out he had someone following him, Kakashi ran through a couple memories to try and remember if had any enemy's in Kusa but to the best of his knowledge he couldn't think of any. After thinking on his past Kakashi figured a straight ahead approach would work best so he took a left at the next ally he came across deciding to try and keep any conflicts as low key as possible.
"You can come out now I know you've been following." Kakashi stated as he put his book away.
"I'm sorry ninja-San I didn't mean to scare you." Came the soft voice of a girl that couldn't have been much older than Naruto.
"That's not a very smart thing to do little one. I know a lot of other ninja who would have killed you if they even thought you were following them." Kakashi replied honestly.
"I didn't know what else to do sir, I need help from someone not in this village." The young girl replied with a shaky voice, as she spoke she stepped further into the light giving Kakashi a good glance and the first thing he noticed was her hair, it reminded him very much of Kushina-San.
"Why do you need help from a foreign shinobi?" Kakashi asked cutting straight to the point.
"I am Karin Uzumaki, my mother fled to Kusa once she got word she was pregnant with me. They promised her shelter and safety here as long as she remained loyal. But once they figured out we possessed a rare blood line limit they took advantage of it until they sucked the vitality out of her." Karin spoke tears flowing freely at this point.
"I assume that want to do the same to you now considering you probably got the limit as well?" Kakashi inferred.
"Hai, please I beg you to take me with you. I promise I will make myself useful to your village I just don't want to be stuck in a hospital bed for the rest of my life only good for breeding and my limit." Karin stated before her nerves took over and she passed out, luckily Kakashi got there in time before she hit the ground. After getting a closer look Kakashi saw multiple bite wounds on the girl and could see she looked malnourished. After giving it some thought he figured it would be best to drop her off with Naruto at the hotel. He would speak with the village council about her when he dropped the envelope off. It would seem he would have to start being a Hokage sooner than he thought or wanted.
Knock knock knock
"One second." Naruto replied before going over to the door.
"Who is the girl Kakashi Sensei?" Naruto asked after opening the door.
"This is Karin Uzumaki, she will be staying with us. Don't let anyone in this room outside of me and Jirayia. This village has not treated Karin-Chan very well and she will be coming with us." Kakashi explained, Naruto gave Karin a look it wasn't of sadness though it was worse it was a look of understanding and that hurt Kakashi even more.
"You got it Sensei only way they will get to Karin is through me believe it!" Naruto replied with a smile and a thumbs up. And with the reassurance from his favorite pupil Kakashi was off to piss off a room full of geezers.
"These conditions seem fair Hatake-San, if that will be all please tell Hokage-Sama we agree and look forward to the next five years of the alliance." The eldest member of the council announced.
"I'm pleased to hear that but I'm afraid that isn't all. I'm going to let you in on a little known secret, I am the next Hokage of the leaf I will be taking over in about a month time and I have one more condition. We will be taking Karin Uzumaki back to the leaf village. I understand she provides a lot of value to your village, to compensate for such a loss we will send a medical ninja to train your youth and even doctors for 3 months a year for the next five years." Kakashi explained getting a bunch of questioning looks from the council.
"No offense Hatake-San but the leafs medical program hasn't been the same since princess Tsunade left." Another member of the council spoke.
"None taken, but Tsunade-Sama will be returning to the leaf in a months time. And just to be honest I considered not even doing that much for your village. The way you treated the Uzumaki is unspeakable, but the fact I know it wasn't the village as a whole who make the calls I've showed mercy but if I catch wind of something like this again consider the treaty void." Kakashi stated voice coated with disgust, before turning his back and walking away.
Naruto watched over Karin while she slept, he knew Kakashi said Uzumaki was her last. Naruto couldn't help but smile at the fact he wouldn't be alone anymore, but at the same time he was angry, so angry these people would treat her like like the same way he was treated. But that didn't matter anymore he knew that she would have at least a few people now that would treat her like a decent human being, and Naruto knew exactly how much that could help a person. After waiting a few hours Naruto finally heard a knock at the door, he went over quietly and checked the peep hole luckily it was just Jirayia.
"What the hell took you so long?" Jirayia started before he got a elbow to the ribs all while Naruto was trying to hush him and point to the sleeping Karin.
"Can't ya tell she is sleeping?" Naruto whispered hardly.
"You work fast Gaki, this is almost enough to bring a tear to my eye. I knew I picked a good pupil." Jirayia whispered back as a few tears of joy slipped out.
"I'm afraid that isn't the case Jirayia-Sama." Kakashi answered coming through the door.
"So the Gaki didn't do anything?" Jirayia questioned seeming like he had been stabbed in the gut.
"Her name is Karin Uzumaki, from what I could gather before she passed out is the village has been abusing her and her mother's blood line limit for years, keeping them cooped up and barley alive." Kakashi explained.
"She's coming with us." Jirayia stated leaving no room for argument.
"Agreed I've already told the council I didn't stick around for there reaction but I'll assume they aren't pleased. I don't think they will try anything considering they don't have the man power to deal with the two of us. But better safe than sorry I say we leave at midnight.
A/N- another chapter in the books folks! Hope you all enjoyed this one, if you can't tell yet Karin will be the last Genin to Naruto's team. I've read a lot of fan fics and this is something I haven't came across much if all. Hopefully you guys like it! Until next time peace.