Protege

By Coded

Chapter 2: Life as a Genin

' ' Thoughts, " " Speech

Daisuke followed the Hokage silently as the old ninja led the newly raised Genin up to the top of the Hokage monument. Stopping and sitting on a viewing platform, the Hokage motioned Daisuke to sit next to him, and turned his eyes to look out upon his village.

"Well, Daisuke-kun. I've heard very interesting reports about you. I bet you're wondering why I decided to pick you as my pupil?" The Sondaime turned and looked at the boy, a twinkle in his eye.

Daisuke nodded thoughtfully. "Hai, Hokage-sama. You have the right of it. I'm not sure why I'm even here alone..Naruto didn't pass the exam, and yet he was at the meeting and assigned a team."

The Hokage grunted, thinking about Naruto always led to memories of the Sexy no Jutsu. "Never you mind about Naruto. He was passed and thats all that matters. Let me ask you a question though, Daisuke-kun. How do you like Konoha? You've only been here a year, are you finding it to your liking?"

Daisuke was slightly surprised that the Hokage knew how long he'd been in the village. "I...well...its alright. Alot better than where me and my sister lived before. There weren't any ninjas there..I like being a ninja, or training to become one anyways..I don't have much experience as one at the moment."

The Hokage smiled slightly "I see..and friends? You have alot of them? Iruka tells me you're one of the most popular boys in class."

Daisuke's eyes took on a faraway look. "I talk to everyone in class. But friends? I really don't have many. Ino-chan, maybe. She's really the only one that really tries to start conversations with me."

The Hokage nodded sagely. "I see..Iruka also says you have incredible potential. However, you recieved poor marks in the Academy."

Daisuke shrugged to himself as he let his eyes roam over the panorama of Konoha, he'd never been up to this spot before, and the village was beautiful when looked at from above. "I know everything, no reason to go out of my way to do everything and look smart. Iruka knows I know everything, and I know it. Whats the purpose of doing all that work just to get good grades if everyone that matters know that even if you have poor grades you know everything?"

"Oh I see..interesting...you don't wish to look smart in front of your classmates?"

Daisuke laughed. "Nah, no reason to call attention upon myself. Ninjas draw as little attention to themselves as possible, isn't that right, Hokage-sama?"

Daisuke grinned evilly as the Hokage's face went blank. "I think you're taking things alittle out of context, Daisuke-kun...anyways, enough of the small talk. As to why I decided to pick you for my student. I have a rather different way of training students than most of the other jounin in the village. However I'm going to have to alter my training regime abit..most of my material was geared towards a team of three, I've never taught just one student individually before." The Hokage looked over at his new charge sheepishly. Clearing his throat and taking on a more serious tone. "Ahem. Anyways, as you know there was an odd number of students that graduated. Someone was going to be put out on his or her own. It was decided that you would be the most able to cope with this abnormality."

Daisuke puffed up a little. "I see..well, that makes sense, I mean, I'm the best in the class. Sasuke isn't as great as he thinks he is." Daisuke smiled happily until a thought struck him. "Ano..Hokage-sama, I understand why I was put by myself now..but why you? There are many other jounins in the village without your responsibility who could teach me."

The Hokage nodded. "You have a sharp mind, Daisuke. There is indeed a reason as to why I chose to teach you myself. Let me ask you a personal question, do you know who your parents were?"

Daisuke frowned and thought for a moment. "Well...I never met my father, my mom said he died shortly before I was born...she never said what he did for a living. My mother ran a female-only bath house until she passed away. Me and my sister stayed in that village on our own until we moved here...why?"

The Hokage nodded. 'So..that's how it is...I see..'

"Well, Daisuke-kun. Do you know what your father's name was?"

Daisuke immediately opened his mouth to answer, then stopped and frowned. "I...no..I don't..my mother never said a name when she talked of him.." Daisuke felt rather dumb for not even knowing his own father's name, and he looked away from the Third, not wanting his new master to see his shame.

"I see, well thats not surprising, Daisuke-kun. Let me tell you the reason I picked you. I knew your father, a long time ago. He is, however, not dead. His name is Jiraiya, and he is a former student of mine. Shortly after your birth, he sent me a scroll letting me know of your birth, and asking me to look out for you. I requested that your sister move you and her here, I even provided her job here."

Daisuke snapped his head back to look at the Hokage with his mouth hanging open. "Jiraiya? Jiraiya is my father? One of the legendary Sannin?" Daisuke asked in disbelief, watching as the Hokage nodded solemnly.

"I see quite alot of him in you, actually. You have your mothers looks, though. He'll be upset about that." The Hokage laughed at his own joke.

'Huh...well I guess it does explain alot...why sis wanted to suddenly move here...it never even occured to me how she had a job as soon as we moved here..and knowing what I do about Jiraiya, that explains why I've never met him, and mom told me he was dead. No way he would be back around to see his kid.'

"Ano..what about my sister?"

Sarutobi shook his head. "No, Jiraiya did not father your sister, she came from a different man, of whom I do not know. Jiraiya only spoke of the boy that was on the way, and was his."

Daisuke found that now that he knew his father was alive, he suddenly wanted to know more about him. The boy had read all the histories of the Sannin, but they didn't talk about what kind of people the ninjas actually were, just talked about the deeds they accomplished and how strong they were. "Um...Hokage-sama...could you...tell me about Jir...about my father?" Daisuke looked up into the smiling face of the Hokage.

"Of course, Daisuke. But from now on, you mustn't call me Hokage-sama, to everyone else in the village I am Hokage-sama. But you're special. To you I'm Sarutobi-sensei."

The boy nodded and looked out over the sun setting on Konoha as Sarutobi-sensei told him about the father he'd never met.

-Three Months Later-

Daisuke wiped the sweat from his face as he squared off against his sensei. He had been training with Sarutobi-sensei for three months now, and he was much stronger than he would have ever though he would be in three months. Training with the strongest ninja in the village was paying off, even if he was an old geezer.

Daisuke kept a wary eye on the old timer standing in front of him. 'Don't let your mind wander, Dai. He's faster than he looks.'

"Kage Shuriken no Jutsu!" Daisuke hurled his Fuuma Shuriken at his sensei and took off running to his left as soon as the shuriken was away. The Hokage dodged the first, and grabbed the second shuriken, laughing.

"Dai-kun! You're better than this!" Sarutobi tossed the shuriken to the ground and blinked as he looked up, Daisuke not being where he had originally been. The Third Hokage grimaced to himself as he heard a voice erupt behind him.

"Katon: Karyuu Endan!" Daisuke shouted as he released his chakra into a gigantic wall of flame, travelling across the open space towards his sensei. Had he used it on anyone else, Daisuke would have been worried, but he knew the ability of his new master, even if it took him awhile to realize just how strong the old man was.

Sarutobi reacted instantly turning while in the middle of doing hand seals, and using his own jutsu. "Suiton: Suijinheki!"

Daisuke sighed as his wall of flame washed over Sarutobi-sensei's barrier of water, leaving the old man unharmed. Suddenly Daisuke's eyes shot open as the vapor cleared and he spied the Hokage doing more hand seals.

"Kirigakure no Jutsu!"

The old man's voice was already muffled by the time it reached Daisuke's ears. The young genin swore as extremely thick mist rose up around him. Putting out his hand, Daisuke shook his head as he was unable to see even that far in the soup that had suddenly engulfed him. Close his eyes for a moment, Daisuke pondered. 'Ok...think Daisuke..you've been training with Sarutobi-sensei for 3 months now..what is he going to do..what is he going to do..'

Daisuke was expecting some form of ninjutsu, so he began kneading chakra and preparing to use it for a counter jutsu. 'Nothing else I can do but wait for him to show him-' Daisuke's thoughts were cut off as a voice erupted directly behind him.

"Hidden Leaf Ancient Secret Taijutsu: One Thousand Years of Pain!"

'Oh god...he wouldn't...' Daisuke's head turning in slow motion as he saw the hands of his sensei rising, shaped into the tiger seal.

Pain exploded from Daisuke's backside and several moments later he landed on his face, some 10 meters away, holding his caboose, as the mist cleared.

The Hokage retrieved his robes and pointed hat that signified his office as he walked over to his fallen student. "You're getting better, Daisuke!" Sarutobi patted the boy consolingly on the shoulder. One of these days you're going to avoid that. Then I'm going to have to come up with another way to beat you." Smiling to himself the Hokage strolled off. "Come to my office when you've recovered, that was a good morning spar. Still have the whole day of training ahead, so don't be too long in your recovery," Sarutobi called over his shoulder, laughing all the time.

Daisuke grumbled to himself as he sat up, still rubbing his tender butt. "Bastard."

Daisuke flopped down on his bed, exhausted from the day of training wih Sarutobi-sensei. Staring at his ceiling, he wondered how all the other new genin were doing. He was surprised that he missed them, Ino-chan most of all. In the last 3 months, he hadn't seen any of the other rookies longer than enough time to say hi. 'Everyone else is busy training, too..I wonder how strong everyone is...I'll bet Sasuke and Shino aren't the pushovers they used to be..'

Quickly after Daisuke had been apprenticed under Sarutobi, his attitude had changed. Learning of his heritage, Daisuke quickly began giving his shinobi training everything he had. He didn't want to be a weak ninja and disgrace his fathers name, even if he had never met him before.

Daisuke's thoughts turned back to the blonde he sat next to all year in the academy. 'I hope Ino-chan is getting along with her teammates..I bet she's upset about not being with Sasuke.' Daisuke's eyes grew sad as he thought about all the times he'd talked to Ino. Most of the time the conversation had been turned by her to talking about Sasuke. Sarutobi-sensei always talked about true strength was when you were fighting to protect someone important to you. Everytime the master and student sparred, Daisuke thought about protecting Ino.

In truth, he'd had people he was friendly with at the academy, but none he would really call his friend. He was closest with Ino, and soon after the start of the year had become enamoured with her. Daisuke was unwilling to act on his feelings. After all, she was always off chasing Sasuke..what point would there be for him to tell her he liked her, just so she could reject him for Sasuke?

Daisuke clenched his fists. 'Sasuke doesn't even deserve all the attention he gets..he'll get his one of these days. He's not the be all end all shinobi..not after what Sarutobi-sensei has been teaching me'

Daisuke rolled over on his side and drifted off to sleep, where he was locked in a battle with Sasuke for Ino's heart.

Another three months passed, Daisuke training every day with Sarutobi-sensei. Daisuke was having trouble telling if he was getting stronger or not, sparring with the Hokage wasn't much of a way to gauge your abilities when you were constantly being beaten. Sarutobi praised Daisuke daily for his progress, however the boy was skepical about the truth behind the words.

Daisuke woke and did his morning routine, still half asleep. Throwing on his forehead protector and tossing his sister a wave as he left the house, the genin set out towards the training grounds him and Sarutobi-sensei used every morning for their usual sparring matches. When he arrived he was surprised to find his sensei still dressed in his robes of office, usually he was already out of those and dressed in his tight, black, sparing outfit.

Daisuke slowed as he neared his sensei and finally stopped, eyeing his wearily. "Ohayo, Sarutobi-sensei...no spar this morning?"

The Hokage shook his head and took his hands out from behind his back, a slip of paper held in one hand. "No, Daisuke-kun. No training today. I have important news for you. In a week from today, the Chuunin Selection Exam will begin. I want you to take it. Here is your application."

Daisuke took the piece of paper and looked down to see his name in big bold letters among a bunch of fine print. His brow furrowed as he looked up at his master. "Ano...Sarutobi-sensei, isn't the Chuunin exam taken in teams of 3? How am I going to take it? I don't have..any teammates.."

The Hokage placed a hand on Daisuke's shoulder and turned him, willing the boy to walk along with him. "That has been taken care of. I will warn you, however, because you are taking it alone, the test will be that much harder for you. There will be no special considerations given to you just because you're taking it alone, I've seen to that. This means that the majority of the test will be three times as hard for you, as you will have to perform the same as everyone else, only by yourself, while other people have their teammates to lean on. It's up to you whether you want to take it or not, I'm just nominating you. I also wanted to let you know of the handicap you face before you take it."

Daisuke pondered the decision and stared down at his application while he walked along with his master. "Sarutobi-sensei...will anyone else from my class be taking this?"

"Possibly, Daisuke-kun. You came out of a very talented class, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another team or two there."

Daisuke nodded to himself. 'I'll get to see Ino again..and maybe I'll get to fight Sasuke..'

"I'll do it, sensei. I'll take the test."

The Hokage nodded with a smile. "I knew you would. Now you have the rest of the day off, run along, I have to meet with all the other jounins of the village and find out who will be nominating their teams for the exam."

Daisuke nodded and set off to meditate in his favorite place, the observers' platform atop the Hokage Monument.

The Hokage sat behind his desk, masking his surprise. 'All 3 teams were nominated..not even I expected such growth in just 6 months.' Sarutobi was rocked from his thoughts as Iruka strode forward.

"Hokage-sama! I know these children! They were my students! They're all strong, but to take the Chuunin exam so early is ludicrous! They're not ready!"

Kakashi turned to Iruka. "Let's get one thing straight, Iruka-sensei. They were your students. They're my soldiers now. Stay out."

Iruka gritted his teeth and turned to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama! I still don't think they're ready!"

The Third held up his hand for silence. "Very well. The rookies will be put through a preliminary exam, then. Iruka you will oversee this. I suppose you wish to include my Daisuke in this preliminary test as well, rather than just the three teams?"

Iruka nodded. The Hokage half-smiled. "Very well, but I warn you, if the other rookies have grown as much as Daisuke has then there is no reason for this. I can tell you I know Daisuke doesn't need the test, however lessons are better learned on your own. No matter how many times I tell you not to touch fire, you won't learn until you stick your hand in. The test is in your hands. The jounin team leaders of the new teams are to give their teams the rest of the week of training off so Iruka can conduct his test in a timely manner. Iruka, you will report the results of the test back to the leader of the team once you've completed it. Now, which of the non-rookie genins will be taking the exam this time?"

Iruka, Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi all bowed, turned and left the room.

A few days later, while Daisuke was down in the village, he noticed a number of shinobi from other hidden villages in Konoha. 'Must be here for the Chuunin exam...alot of them look strong..It will be nice to test my strength against someone other than Sarutobi-sensei...I get so damn frustrated losing to him day after day!'

As Daisuke thought of his sensei, he heard his elderly voice call out from behind him. "Oy, Daisuke-kun! Come, its time for your training! Let's spar!"

Daisuke turned to his master with a grin on his face. "Hai, sensei. I was getting bored without being able to beat up on you!"

Daisuke follwed his master to their usual training grounds. As soon as Daisuke stepped both feet into the open training area, and giant dome of earth rose up around him, to cover the entire training grounds, effectively locking the two ninjas in together.

Daisuke laughed softly at the idiocy of it. The Hokage raised an eyebrow. "Eh? I've got you trapped in here, boy! You shouldn't be laughing!" In a puff of smoke, the Hokage transformed into a ninja from the Hidden Village of Rain.

"I was wondering when you were going to show me your true self."

The Rain-nins eyes widened as Daisuke spoke, his voice no less than a foot behind his ear. 'So...he was following me with a bunshin..'

"Enough of this game." Daisuke ducked low, hitting the Rain-nin with a sweep, knocking his legs out. Daisuke spun in a full circle on the ground while his opponant was still hanging in the air from the effect of the sweep. When his leg was directly under the Rain shinobi, Daisuke kicked up as hard as he could, sending the enemy ninja rocketing into the air.

Daisuke grinned in eagerness as he jumped up into the air after the nameless Rain-nin. Grabbing ahold of the ninja's back, Daisuke snapped his arms, one forward and one back, setting the ninja into a horizonal spin. Turning onto his back, Daisuke lashed out at the precise moment, his heel catching the ninja in the temple, and sending him spinning in the opposite direction.

Daisuke glanced down, making sure he had enough time before he hit the ground to finish his combo. Due to the dome of earth overhead, he had had to adjust the height he sent the Rain shinobi so he didnt hit the roof. Judging he had enough time, Daisuke grabbed the ninja by the side, stopping his spin. Spinning in midair, Daisuke landed an axe-kick to the ninja's abdomen, sending the senseless ninja downward. As the Rain ninja slammed into the ground on his back, Daisuke landed on his knees, just to the left of the Rain ninja. Using all the momentum of his trip down, Daisuke drove his right fist down into the gut of the Rain-ninja.

"Sarutobi-style 5 Hit Rendan." As Daisuke spoke, the dome around him crumbled to dust. Looking down and seeing the Rain-nin gone, Daisuke shrugged as he stood and dusted himself off, setting out to find something to eat.

"So," Asked Kakashi, who sat on a moonlit rooftop as a breathless Iruka plopped down next to him. "How did they do?"

Iruka shook his head in disbelief. "They passed. Every last rookie passed the preliminary...I guess I was worried for nothing.."

Kakashi nodded to himself and smiled behind his mask. "So..for the first time in 5 years, there will be rookies in the chuunin exam. How exciting, I'm looking forward to seeing how Naruto and Sasuke do."

Iruka looked up at Kakashi and shook his head silently. 'I'm looking forward more to seeing how Daisuke does...'

Author's Notes

Ok, so chapter two! No reviews yet, makes me a sad author (

Im hoping that the OC community is just alot smaller than people more interested in reading about characters they've spent hours watching and relating to. I said I wouldn't put out chapter 2 unless I got some good feedback from chapter 1, but I figured I already had chapter 1 here, no reason to not post what I have written, and keep posting everything I write in the future.

Also! I ment to post this in the chapter 1 notes and completely forgot. This is NOT a DN Angel/Naruto crossover at all, as I hope any of you who have read this far will have figured out. I just picked Daisuke as the name for my character.

Anyways, as always I appreciate you reading my story, and I hope you enjoyed it. More to come soon, as I'm having a very good time writing this story it will probably be updated pretty frequently.