Chapter 6: Sotsugyo no hi

[Graduation day, 1 year later]

After that day, all three Kitsune's put the three kids through nothing short of torture in their training. It was insane how the three demons taught the now teens on how to fight and use their own unique abilities the way they should be used. While difficult and exhausting as it was, the results were quite plentiful. All three of the teens mastered chakra control in their own ways as well as multiple techniques and fighting styles. To the three kitsune demons, it was oddly satisfying to see how their respective containers soaked in information like sponges soaking in water.

Their new skills didn't go unnoticed as many people, especially shinobi, could see the difference a few months could make. They all began to excel in the academy and worked in near perfect synch when it came to things like mock battles. Hiruzen paid extra attention to the three throughout this time and came to the conclusion that these three would change the world in the future.

Sakura was the brains of their group, always coming up with strategies and answers to questions no one else knew the answers to. She was still an unknown to many people and the villagers still saw her as a demon worshipper for actually living with Naruto, but they never tried anything against her. Mostly because the way she would look at people when they tried being hostile towards her or her brothers. That cold and almost lifeless look in her eyes warded off most civilians.

Sasuke was the speed and the brawn of the group. Even at the age he is now, his speed outdoes most Chuunin and is borderline at Jounin levels. This made actually fighting him difficult as he also packed a hell of a punch with his strength as well. Despite only having visibility in his left eye, and in turn having poor depth perception, Sasuke manages to be very perceptive to his surroundings to the point that it was almost scary to other. What no one in the village knew, sans his brother and sister, was that Sasuke had activated his Sharingan in the time spent training under Shizen.

Naruto was the wild card and the chakra/stamina monster of the group. With his massive reserves and near limitless amount of stamina, coupled with his much faster healing factor as compared to his brother and sister, and Naruto Uzumaki was a ninja that was difficult to take out. His sheer unpredictability made him difficult to face and the number of clones and jutsu that he could use was insane.

Everyone in the academy knew just how well the three worked together and how usually when you saw one the others weren't too far behind. It was odd just how much of a tight unit the three were even when they weren't official ninja yet. Everyone from the teachers to the students knew the three well enough to let them be for the most part, though there were always those that would challenge some of them to a fight. They were dealt with quickly in spars.

The civilian council and other civilians in the village did not make things any easier for the three either as they were in the academy. Many stating that the 'demon brat' manipulated and brainwashed the last Uchiha and some random girl into joining his demon cult. These were met with skepticism at first until the trio began to get noticeably stronger than all the students and even some of the teachers in the academy. Most civilians voiced their opinions to the councils and the Hokage, which was met with a shrug from the latter as the trio hadn't done anything aside from excelling in the program. The councils had other responses. The shinobi side wanted to know just who was training the three as their growth was considered extraordinary by standards. The civilian side tried, and failed, to get Naruto expelled from the academy in order to 'save the last loyal Uchiha from his torment' as they put it. That was just met with a scoff and a chuckle from the Hokage.

While most in the academy gave the three a wide berth, a few were fortunate enough to call themselves friends to them. Of course, there was Hinata who spent her time around them either in the academy, her own clan home or even their home in the Uchiha district. She even got to train with them and gained confidence in the process. Another person that became friends with them surprisingly enough was Shino Aburame. The reason why was that when he saw one of the rare occasions that Naruto was alone, some students were picking on him and one tried and failed to punch him. Naruto dodged with ease and the kid tripped and almost fell on a beetle. Naruto, in a feat of speed and strength that Shino had yet to see with a student in the academy, had quickly grabbed the boy by the back of his collar, pulled him back, shifted his own position to where he was now moving towards the beetle, picked up said beetle gently, and finally tossed the boy into the other boy that was there. Naruto then opened a window and let the beetle fly away stating that there was no reason for an innocent insect to be killed by someone who does not respect it. Shino would later approach the trio and they all became good friends.

Today was the day they all graduate from the academy and officially become ninjas who would hopefully be placed on the same team. Along with their new training, the trio had decided to change their attire as well as they were told by their kitsune's that they were indeed ready for the ninja world.

Naruto wore dark orange and black coat over a black shirt with an orange fox with nine tails stitched into the back. The coat reached to past his hips and was a subtle jab to the people of Konoha that he knew who his father was. He wore black and gray cargo print pants, dark orange, fingerless gloves, black sandals and a pair of goggles on his head.

Sasuke wore a dark blue coat that reached his thighs over a dark shirt. The shirt had a white fox with three tails emblazoned on the back with the Uchiha logo behind its head. He had on white and silver cargo print shorts that went to his knees, white fingerless gloves and silver sandals. His eyepatch was now completely white as well.

Sakura wore a crimson coat that went to her hips and was over a blood red shirt with a black fox that had two tails on the back. She wore solid black cargo print shorts that hugged her thighs tightly, black fingerless gloves, and black sandals.

What was unique about their coats was that they all had seals inside of them in various places that could hold multiple things at once. All courtesy of Naruto learning seals from Kurama and having a natural understanding of them.

The trio had left their shared home in the Uchiha district and quickly made their way towards the academy via the rooftops. It didn't take long for them to reach the academy as it wasn't too far away from the Uchiha district. Once they landed on solid ground, they were greeted by many widened eyes from the students, parents and teachers for their new attire. They were then greeted by Hinata and Shino as the two walked over towards them, already having seen the trio's attire prior to today.

"Hey guy," Hinata greeted them with a smile they all returned, "ready for the exams?"

"Hell yeah!" Naruto yelled out, causing many of the parents to glare at him for his use of profanity in public. It was mainly thanks to influence from Kurama this past year in training.

"This will be easy." Sasuke answered her with a slight smirk as if it was anything like how Itachi described it a long time ago, then this really would be a walk in the park.

"Time to finally get out of this school." Sakura stretched herself out to prepare for the upcoming test and the sparring section that would follow.

"We should get going then." Shino walked on, followed by everyone else.

It didn't take long for the group to reach their classroom. Already inside and seated were Shikamaru, Choji and surprisingly enough Ino. The group took their seats as everyone else filed in and sat down in their respective seats while both Iruka and Mizuki began to speak.

"Alright everyone," Iruka started as he immediately got everyone's attention, "today is the graduation exams." He then began a very long monologue about the importance of being a ninja and how it reflects the greatness of the village and all of this and that before getting to the good part. "Now then, let's all head to the training area for the first part of the test, kunai and shuriken throwing."

At hearing this, Sasuke couldn't help but smirk as he turned to Naruto who gave him a playful glare. "Told ya that was first, bro." He held out his hand in an expectant gesture.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stack of money before it quickly left his hand. To the untrained eye it looked like it disappeared entirely, but to Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke simply took it quickly.

They all made their way to the small training ground which consisted of the training dummies near the forested area and a small cage stage for light sparring. Iruka went on to explain the rules of the throwing portion of the test and began to call everyone up one at a time. As expected, most couldn't hit the proper areas of the dummy, which were the vital parts. The clan heirs fared better than most with so far Shikamaru doing the best. That was until Shino came up and hit more than him and then Hinata even more than the bug user did.

It was Naruto's turn next, and he decided to show off a bit. He grabbed five of the kunai in one hand and five of the shuriken in the other and threw them all at the dummy. To everyone's surprise, sans Sakura and Sasuke, he hit every vital area multiple time with both shuriken and kunai. He gave a victory sign to his friends and brother and sister before Sakura stepped up.

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at her brothers' antics and focused up on the training dummy. She took two kunai in one hand and threw them towards the dummy with so much force that both kunai went completely through the dummy. It now had a massive hole in both its chest and head. Mind you, these training dummies are made of wood. Everyone else went wide eyed as Sakura simply wiped her hands of any dust and walked back to her brothers.

Sasuke stepped up last and if Naruto and Sakura left them all shocked, Sasuke decided to leave them all amazed. He took a handful of kunai and shuriken and tossed them all into the air. Everyone watched in confusion and later horror as the sharp objects were about to fall on the Uchiha, until he reached up and began grabbing and throwing them all at the next dummy. Every throw hit a vital area with ease. He caught the last kunai and turned around before casually tossing it over his shoulder, hitting the dummy square in the neck, embedding it all the way to the hilt.

The entirety of the class was indeed left speechless.

After that was the sparring section of the test. Nothing really of interest happened here as many of the clan heirs fought against a bunch of red shirts and won easily. When it came to our trio, whoever was paired with them instantly forfeited, not wanting to get hurt by either of the three.

Afterwards, Iruka and Mizuki lead them all back into the classroom in order to take the last part of the exams. It went about as well you would expect for the clan heirs. Hinata passed with flying colors as did Shino. Sakura passed with ease as well as Sasuke. Naruto knew the only thing he really couldn't do was the standard clone jutsu because of his massive reserves, so he had asked Kurama if he knew of a way to do anything about it. Kurama's idea, shadow clones. With that, Naruto passed the exam, surprising Iruka and slightly angering Mizuki who quickly regained his composure.

With that, the day was done and over with as the trio went with Hinata to her place to celebrate. When asked, Shino refused to come with, stating that his clan needed to hear the news first.

While they walked on, Naruto couldn't help but chuckle as he tied his headband to his forehead. Sasuke followed suit and tied his to his forehead as well. Sakura decided to tie her headband around her neck like Hinata had done.

They made it to the Hyuuga compound and showed their headband to Hitomi, who was beyond happy for them all, Hiashi, who nodded his approval to the trio while actually praising Hinata on her success, and Hanabi, who looked up to the four with stars in her eyes. There was a feast set up for the clan to celebrate Hinata's accomplishment as clan heir and the trio stayed to help celebrate as well. What everyone didn't know actually, was that the trio sitting with them and eating with them were actually sealed blood clones. Ten times stronger than regular shadow clones and with chakra networks so similar to the originals that even the Byakugan and the most seasoned sensor wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Our real trio was preparing for a little excursion elsewhere in the village.

Gonna end it there. Happy to get back into this story and excited what everyone thinks of it so far.

The next chapter will have actual action in it.

Till next time, stay awesome, and always...

PEACE!