Chapter 11

A cool breeze went through the training ground. It was a nice feeling that Sasuke Uchiha enjoyed. The twelve-year-old was standing on the grounds as if he were waiting for someone. He was wearing a pair of white cargo shorts and a blue shirt with a high collar. His clan symbol was on the back. He also had on forearm warmers. While Sasuke enjoyed the breeze, he couldn't help but be annoyed.

"Where is he?" Sasuke asked himself. He was starting to get upset that he was called out her and the person was late. With a sigh, he just waited. As he did, he thought back to his training with Naruto Namikaze. The blond had warned him that he would be a hard supervisor and he kept that promise.

Naruto decided to break him down and start from nothing. He led him to an old training ground that looked like an obstacle course. It was an incredibly old looking course as many of the objects were from the time of the Sandaime Hokage. He believed that he could get through the course, but he was proven very wrong as he failed to get pass the first level. He had yet to pass the course, but his speed and reaction time had improved.

They would spar and Naruto would show him a new move to add to his arsenal. It was the same with jutsu. He showed some simple jutsu, but the applications would help him in his quest. Then there was the most important weapon Naruto helped him gain. That weapon was,

"Sasuke!" a voice shouted, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to look at the person running up to him. He was his age, wearing brown shorts and a grey hood jacket that had fur=trim on the hood. He stopped in front of him, trying to catch his breath, Sasuke let out an annoyed huff.

"You're late Kiba." He stated.

"Get off my back. I had chores to do." Kiba said with a tone. That's when the head of a white-furred puppy poked its' head out from under the hood. It barked a few times, making Kiba give him a dirty look. This made Sasuke smirk.

"Akamaru doesn't seem to think that's a good excuse." Sasuke said with mirth.

"Shut up! You've been bribing my partner with your damn dojutsu ever since we've become friends!" Kiba exclaimed.

"Keep telling yourself that. So, for what did you two want me out here?" Sasuke asked. Taking a few breaths, Kiba looked at him.

"I need a sparring partner. The test is in a week, and we need to be ready." Kiba explained. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at that.

"Seriously? You're one of the top fighters in our class." He said.

"Yeah, but you're number one. Just think of this as iron sharpening iron. Come on, help a buddy out." Sasuke scoffed amused at that. He could honestly say that he and Kiba were friends. They weren't that close, but he did trust him and his partner more than anyone else. It was refreshing to have someone who didn't kiss his ass.

"Sure, I'll help you out. You want me to hold back or just end it quick?" Sasuke asked with smug grin. Kiba matched his grin and dropped on all-fours. Sasuke got into his own stance, his eyes shifting to a red color.

XXX

Danzo watched as Naruko and one of his ninja trade strikes. It was paced but the old ninja easily kept up. He was pleased with her progress, and it showed. She was the top kunoichi in her class and her array of jutsu had grew. He was once again pleased with the strides his weapon was making. Yet, he could not help but think of his missteps.

In his attempts to monitor his two potential problems, he didn't keep a close eye on Naruko. He was in a meeting when Kushina barged into a meeting he was in with the council. She attempted to attack him, demanding why he tampered with Naruko's seal. He would deny the accusation, but no one believed him. Hiruzen was enraged and banned him access to her.

He would discover that Naruko had lost control of the Kyubi's chakra in frustration. The girl she was sparring was seriously hurt. Kushina restrained her and discovered what he did to the seal. It only got worse when Naruto learned of what he did. He immediately came looking for him, threatening Homura and Koharu. It took Hiruzen, Kakashi and the threat of banishment to calm him down. He knew that Naruto was keeping a closer eye on Naruko since.

He was disappointed in Naruko and told her as much. The girl was sorry and emotional, which annoyed him. She swore to never disappoint him again. She kept her word to him, so he worked to get the ban lifted. With the help of the elders, he managed to do just that, much to her families' displeasure. He was heavily watched, which was expected. He was not deterred however, and it bore amazing fruit.

There was a loud 'Clang' that gained his attention. He saw Naruko with her tanto to his subordinate's neck. Danzo was pleased. His spear was coming along nicely.

XXX

Naruto watched from his perch as the graduates were presented with their hitai-ate. With the ceremony done, the new genin celebrated. He was amused to see Kiba give Sasuke a headlock while his fangirls were planning murder. He was happy that his student made a bond with someone. He was worried that a certain clan killer would learn about this, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

He turns to see his sister with Danzo. The elder present her with a tanto. He knew that it was the same that his 'Ne' would use. Seeing the elder, Naruto wanted nothing more than to take his head. The man had crossed a line that he shouldn't have crossed. He remembered that day and would never forget it.

He had just gotten back from a mission when he heard about what happened at the academy. He rushed to the academy to see Naruko restrained by a seal. It was Iruka who explained what happened and Naruto was enraged. He berated her and demanded to know what she was thinking. Kushina returned and told Naruko that she was banned for seeing Danzo. Naruko wasn't pleased but Kushina's glare stopped any argument.

Naruto and Kushina restrengthened the seal. The ANBU was there to watch. They managed to do their work without any interruptions. After it was done, Naruto left to find Danzo. He started with the elders and cornered the two of them. When they began to mouth off, Naruto activated his jutsu without seals. Seeing the jutsu, the elders were nervous, and it alerted the ANBU. Naruto made a step toward them but was stopped by Kakashi and the Sandaime. He would have ignored them, but he was threatened with banishment if he did not stand down. Naruto disengaged but he made sure to let the elders know to keep a leash on Danzo.

He didn't like that the man still had a hold over Naruko. It was baffling at how she could not see that the man only cared about the Kyubi within her. He wondered if it was because of him. He quickly banished that thought as he did everything to reconnect with his sister. She just did not accept him. He let out a sigh before vanishing and reappearing next to his mother. She gave him a smile before Naruko walked over to them. She didn't look at either of them, not wanting to see their judging eyes. The fractured family just walked home.

XXX

Naruto stood outside Sasuke's apartment, waiting for his student to come down. He was glad to get out of his mother's house. The tension was suffocating between everyone. He just waited and it wasn't long as Sasuke came down to see him.

"Hey, how was the party at the Inuzuka's?" Naruto asked.

"It was okay. They're loud." Sasuke said. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"I'm here to give you your graduation present. I picked it up on my last mission and thought of you." Naruto pulled out a kunai. It was a little bigger than a regular kunai. There were two rings, one at the end and one that connected the blade to the hilt. There was a symbol on the blade that he didn't recognize.

"Nice kunai." Sasuke said as it was tossed to him. He gave it a few swings and twirls.

"Yeah, I had it made with a strong metal. The symbol glows when you add chakra, heating the edge. It might take a while for you to master but I have confidence in your skills." Naruto said.

"Cool," Sasuke said and stopped to look at his sensei. Naruto raised an eyebrow at that, and Sasuke gave him a familiar look. The blond just smirked at him.

"We've talked about this Sasuke." The blond said.

"And it is a stupid decision. I've learned under you for two years. Are they so scared of me learning under you?" he argued.

"Honestly? Yes, they are. It isn't only about you but me as well. What I did a few months ago did not go over well with the higher ups." Naruto explained. "I would make you my apprentice if I could, but I can't. You'll just have to adapt as I thought you to. What are the first words I told you after our first spar?"

"Adapt, overcome, execute, I remember the words and I will apply them." Sasuke said. Naruto scoffed amusingly and held out his fist. Sasuke smirked and bumped fist with his sensei. Watching from above, Naruko narrowed her eyes. She decided to follow Naruto see what he was giving to Sasuke. The kunai looked cool.

'Of course, he would get him something cool.' Naruto thought darkly. She turned away from the scene and vanished.

XXX

It would be a week later when the new genin came back to be assigned teams. Sasuke was speaking Kiba while many of the kunoichi were giving Sasuke the yes. Naruko ignored everyone and kept her attention on the sky. Everyone else was talking while waiting for Iruka to enter. It didn't take long for him to arrive.

"Good morning. I would first like to congratulate you all and welcome you to Konohagakure's forces. I know you all will represent the village with your best. Now, we will be assigning teams to each of you. Each member of your squad will be like your family. Trust them to protect you and they will give you that same trust. Understood?" Iruka asked.

"Hai sensei!" the class yelled.

"Good. Now, here are your team assignments." Iruka began to list off the teams. As he continued, many of the kunoichi were either groaning at not being picked with Sasuke or praying that they would be on Sasuke's team. Iruka ignored this and kept going until he reached the seventh team. When he did, Iruka had to pause. He looked at the list and could not believe this to be true.

"One minute class, I'll be back." Iruka said and vanished, much to everyone's confusion.

XXX

Iruka reappeared in Kushina's office. He was surprised to see the Sandaime there as well as his boss. She did not look pleased.

"I know why you're here Iruka and I agree with you. However, this isn't up to me. Their sensei wanted this team." Kushina said with an edge.

"Ma'am, this team is doomed to fail." Iruka said.

"We understand Iruka, but it is done. This will be team seven. Now, go and make the announcement." Hiruzen ordered. Iruka nodded and vanished. He reappeared back to class and faced the group who were just as confused. With a sigh, Iruka continued.

"Team seven, under the leadership of Hatake Kakashi, Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke," A loud scream of victory was heard in back. Everyone was chuckling or groaning while Kiba patted Sasuke's shoulder in pity. Iruka just sighed and continued. "And Namikaze Naruko." The class went silent at that. Everyone was stunned and wondered what idiot made that decision.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Sorry for the delay everyone. I started a new job and it has taken a while for me to get use to it. It's a great job and I'm enjoying it. Anyway, I will attempt to update regularly now that I have time to do so. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter.