Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
synode; Thanks for the vote! It could create an interesting dynamic between them.
Isao Gin; Thanks very much! Yeah, a good few did huh~? I will be doing yeah.
Skull Flame; I thought it would be nice~ It seems that Konohamaru is yeah~ Kiba surely can do yeah.
Clarent excalibur; Anko is going to be testing them quite a bit. I could see Anko being like that yeah.
Unzueta; Thanks! Yeah, I'll be doing that and changing things as the story goes on. Thanks for the vote! Hair style is more akin to her part one self, but older than that.
ShadowUzumaki55; He surely didn't huh~? Anko was yeah, she'll be showing why she'll be a good Sensei pretty soon~ Hehe, Konohamaru has done yeah. Hanabi did yeah, she was worried for her sister, but can see that Ryouta isn't a bad guy, and would be able to help her sister out. Thanks for the vote!
Luna; Thanks for the vote!
Guest 1; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 2; Thanks very much! Thanks for the votes! It would be yeah. Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Silver crow; Thanks! Thanks for the votes! Karin doesn't have the Chakra Chains yet, but she will gain them a lot sooner than she did in canon. Yeah, Hanabi got expanded upon a good bit. Yeah, Anko seemed to be a little unsure of it at first, but she'll grow into the role of being a Sensei. I thought it would be good for Mikoto's character. Hiashi's thoughts about them will become more clear as the story goes on. Hanabi was yeah, Hinata is strong. Naruko wont forever, it will be sorted out soon. Glad you liked Konohamaru and Ryouta's interactions. Yeah, seems like Kurama had some kind of reaction to Ryouta, and due to that, Naruko and Ryouta shared a kiss. Hehe, that's Karin for you. Sakura and Ino are friends yeah. He will figure out soon about her. Haha, maybe Sakura did~ He did yeah, we'll see Sakura contributing to various situations as the story goes on. Hanabi did get a bit embarrassed about that huh~? A little foreshadowing for when he does become Hanabi's actual Sensei. Haha, Hinata got quite the wrong idea from the words. Haku seems to be the one to do that yeah. I thought it would be appropriate for Anko to do that. If we're going by anime, since the manga never really stated when in the timeline Yagura died, then they were still in the process of the aftermath of Yagura during the time Tsunade became Hokage, and the Chunin exams were held for Sakura, Ino and Choji after Naruto left the village with Jiraiya, the same one Fuu appears in. Kisame might do. Maybe Ryouta could do with Kisame. We might see a reason why that is later on. Anko could be doing some stuff during the Fourth Ninja War. Anko will show some cool skills. Maybe Konan could yeah. Yukimi could be, I'd have to see if it would fit or not. If it's brought up, I don't see why not. It would be cool if Naruko could. Satsuki will the Mangekyou, I can't spoiil how she's going to get it, I've got something emotional planned for that. I can't say anything he might have inherited from his Mother. He'll have some titles behind him. I have kept up with My Hero, and it is sad what happened. He'd have a strong Quirk. Re Destro's son I've got a few ideas for. Maybe Anko could do yeah. Samui could be cool. Tsunade could be yeah. Konan could be a representitive. I've got some events going on for the Five Kage Summit. I can't say if Mikoto does have it or not. Obito is the cause of a good deal of problems within Ryouta's life, and either directly or indirectly, he is somewhat responsible for Shisui's passing, so the confrontation between them is going to be very emotional and important for Ryouta's arc through the series. Yeah, that would be good for Fairy Tail. He'd be going to school with Momo if he was Re Destro's son, since it would make the most sense. Black Clover sounds good. Maybe Naruko could do without. Yeah, they'd be cool if they could appear. They might know he has that. Thanks for the votes. He might have thought about it abit, he's got other things for his goals first of all.
Guest 3; Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed their interactions, and yeah he will do. He'll find out pretty soon. Thanks for the votes! Yeah, it seems that she can be like that. Thanks for the suggestions! Happy New Year!
Guest 4; Thanks! Happy New Year, I also hope this ones better than the last one. He will have some of his own Jutsu yeah. That would be quite the devastating Jutsu if he did do that. Kakashi probably would have yeah. His personality could do. Interesting theory, maybe Ryouta's Dad was. Thanks for the votes!
Guest 5; Thanks for the vote!
mxc fan N44; Until My Hero's done, I couldn't finish the story unless I did my own ending.
Guest 6; Thanks very much! Yeah, we'll see some of what they can do, more will be shown during the Land of Waves. It will involve the Forest of Death. If he gets enough recognition then he probably would do yeah. Maybe one day he will be recognized by name or sight alone. Thanks for the votes!
Guest 7; Thanks! Yeah, she'll be dishing it out alright. We'll be seeing more of it in the future, but we'll see some stuff this chapter~ Thanks for the votes!
darkjason78; Thanks for the vote!
sebku ssj3; Thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far~
MDM11; Yeah maybe she could be. Ryouta might know one of those techniques already. That would be a cool team~ Those would be some cool techniques to have. We'll see what happens with the Third Hokage. Thanks for the vote!
Guest 8; Thanks very much! Yeah, she definitely will be~ Yeah, I always liked the pink eyes also, shame it was made black in the anime, it gave her a unique look. Thanks for the vote! Mikoto, regardless if she's in the harem or not will have a certain role to play. There isn't an exact number of girls that could be in, I don't want it too big.
War Sage; Thanks! Yeah, he could do~ Maybe Orochimaru would do. Maybe he would do, he does know some stuff about seals at this point that might come into play later on. It seems that it would be yeah~ It would be very fun to see how a Five Kage Summit would be. Yeah, I thought Karin would suit a role like that. It would be cool if that did happen~ Baby Shisui would be fun to see. That would be interesting to write about. Glad you liked the Sakura and Ryouta stuff. Their own summons, it is possible, I'd have to think what they'd be. I suppose by that age they would be considered adults, and you're right, they kinda act like that huh. The fight between Neji and Ryouta is going to be intriguing to do. It would be cool if he did take over that for Jiraiya. Mikoto might meet up with them from time to time. Glad you liked it~ That's an interesting concept, I could see a need for it. Thanks for the suggestions!
Andrew123456; Thanks for the votes! Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah, that would be a cool name~
Brainstorm Sorcerer; It seems that she is yeah. Sakura will do her best. Kiba lived due to Iruka coming in, otherwise...yeah, it would've been a scary scene for him. Glad you liked their friendship. They shall meet, and we'll see what Kurama thinks of him. Killer B, and Ryouta's meeting is going to be a fun one. Glad you liked the interactions between Ryou, Hanabi and Konohamaru. Hiashi was referring to the Uchiha Downfall. Ryouta might be. He'll eventually meet that snake again. Karin isn't going to be one of the top fighters, but she will show her worth on the team and show her intellect. He's met Guy through Lee. Kakashi not really. Using Susanoo to charge it up would be cool. Yeah, it's going to be named something like that~ It could be cool if he did help out with her back pain huh~? I could see Konohamaru saying that, and thanks for the vote! Happy New Year!
Guest 9; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 10; Thank you for the votes! Yeah, he has a number of male friends.
Guest 11; Haha, that would be fun to see Gaara's sand doing that. Thanks for the vote!
Guest 12; Thanks for the votes! I've always liked both Hinata and Hanabi.
Guest 13; Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions!
danielhaywoodsnow; Thanks! Yeah, I'm trying my best to not get burn out. Mikoto will have a nice life. A pet huh, yeah that would be cool~ Haha, it surely would do.
the5reds; Yes I will be doing.
Guest 14; Thanks for the votes! She will teach him how to summon snakes, probably after the Land of Waves.
Cloud4012; Thanks for the vote! He does have male friends, like Lee which is a very important relationship that's going to be built upon, and some of his class, we'll see their friendships as the story goes on.
Sparrow1236; Thanks for the vote!
Guest 15; He's got male friends, and he'll gain more as the story goes on.
Guest 16; Thank you for the vote!
dragonologistnatsu; Thank you for the vote!
Guest 17; Yeah, he could be with anyone. Thanks for the votes!
Guest 18; It was a bit odd that it took so long to find out about the Uzumaki's clan and their capabilities and what not, it could be touched upon earlier in this story. Thanks for the votes! They did get a short end of the stick huh. Thanks, and I hope you and everyone stays safe~ Happy New Year~
Guest 19; Regardless of gender, Gaara would still have similar development, one of the things that would be different would be Gaara would find love eventually if female, but the core development Gaara would go through would still happen, as I think it was handled very well in the canon series.
NL; I haven't, having a small break.
Guest 20; Thanks for the vote!
Guest 21; Thanks for the votes! He will get promoted as the series goes on.
Well, with those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Anko's Deadly Test!
Ryouta, Karin and Haku followed their new Sensei Anko all the way to the Forest of Death. She hadn't spoken since leaving the Academy, all they knew was they had some kind of test.
Then when outside of the gate to the forest, she stopped, and promptly sat down.
"Sit my Genin~" Anko casually spoke, so they did just that. "Right, so lets start with an introduction."
"Introduction?" Karin echoed. "But, wouldn't you have been given information about us?"
"That's all boring stuff that anyone could look up about you. No, what I want is to know what you are like deep down, your goals. Things that these sheets of data on you couldn't tell me."
"Could you give us an example so we are aware of what to say?"
Haku asked, Anko chortled.
"Fair enough. Alright, my name is Anko Mitarashi, you may refer to me as Anko-sensei, or Anko-sama~" She joked with the last bit, Karin didn't look amused, Ryouta did though and let out a small laugh, being used to Anko's sense of humour. "My hobbies include...I guess you'd say that I like taking care of snakes. I also love dango, could eat that stuff all day everyday~ Ooh, I also like making people...hmmm, how to put this nicely...lets say I like making people do as I say and if they don't then I get to have fun~"
"So you're a sadist?"
"I like to think of myself as an enforcer of the rules, that's all~"
She answered Karin who bit her lower lip in frustration.
Though Ryouta could see the last part Anko was joking about.
"Ooh yeah, my dreams...well, I have a good few, maybe you'll find out one day~ Next...lets see you Uchiha boy! Tell everyone your likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies, things like that~"
Ryouta nods, and begins as he allows his hands to come together.
"Okay then, my name is Ryouta Uchiha, my likes include my friends of course, training and learning new Jutsu, coming up with unique Jutsu, which is also apart of my hobbies I guess. My dream...I have a good number of them, but some are...I want to become a Ninja that surpasses my older brother, and restore my clan, make it thrive after what happened those years ago, something I'm sure Satsuki-chan and Mikoto-san share. I also want to save someone from...well, from a situation she shouldn't have to be in." Ryouta briefly recalled Izumi within his mind, hoping that she was okay. "And some others that...are private."
Some he couldn't say like how he wished to find Sugaru, the circumstances behind Shisui's death, Tobi and his involvement along with why Tobi targeted him and the truth behind Itachi's actions the night of the Uchiha massacre.
"I see, I see. Any dislikes?"
Anko asked, Ryouta hummed.
"There are some people that I dislike, but they aren't in this village so I'll leave it at that~"
Anko shrugged.
"Fair enough, I also have someone I dislike not in this village." Anko's eyes shifted to Karin. "So, you red head, your turn."
"Hmmm...alright then. My name is Karin, and my likes..." Karin's eyes subtly went towards Ryouta, Anko caught it and smirked. "...lets say that I quite like black haired boys with a handsome face~" She giggled as she twitched. "I also like collecting things, nothing that are valuable or anything, just personal things. Anyway, my hobbies include collecting perfumes. I also love sensing the chakra of..." Her eyes went to Ryouta who tilted his head. "...the sun and moon~ Anyway, my dreams, I suppose that it would have to be marrying Ryou-kun~"
"W-What?"
Ryouta coughed out, Karin chortled awkwardly.
"Did I say that out loud?" The group just stared at her, so Karin quickly moved along. "A-Anyway, lets talk about my dislikes! So yeah, I dislike...well, I used to dislike the place I was in before now, so I guess I'll go with that. I still hate what they did to me and hope they pay for it."
"Alright then~" Anko chortled, before turning to Haku. "Lastly, the ice Queen herself."
"I-Ice Queen?" Haku uttered, Anko shrugged so Haku continued. "Hmmm...then my name is Haku, and I am from the Yuki clan. My likes include my friends...Ryou-kun..." She admitted with a bashful smile, something that Anko noticed. "My hobbies include flower pressing, writing poetry, and training together with some people. My dream...I'd like to help people that have a situation like me, born with things they couldn't control, and hated because of it, save them and give them a better life."
Ryouta smiled at Haku's goal, it was quite like her to say that.
Anko slowly nods.
"Any dislikes?"
"The people that I dislike are dead, so I can't say them, I suppose..."
"Guess not. Still, that was pretty good. Alright, now it's time to move onto the juicy stuff. Like, now that you're Genin, don't think that it is an easy road for you. Because you aren't officially Genin as of yet."
Karin tilts her head.
"But we did the exams!"
"Those exams sweetheart, yeah they're not really the true exams. They're to see if you've got the potential to become Ninja. The real exams start right now, with me. Remember, I said that I was giving you a test."
"So...what do we do now?"
Haku asked, Anko jumped to her feet.
"Look at the forest." Their eyes turned as Anko jabbed a finger towards something within it. "I've made a special place for us to reach. It isn't to the centre of the forest, but it is a good number of miles into the forest. I want you to escort me to that white structure."
Ryouta's eyes went towards it, and saw a massive earth pillar coming out of the ground, it seemed to be painted white.
"Escort you there...right now?"
Karin began, and before she could continue, Anko did so.
"Right. For this mission, I'm not a capable Ninja. I'm an innocent civilian that needs to be escorted to that earth pillar you see. The forest holds dangers, as expected of a Ninja, you'll have to deal with the unknowns. You'll have to protect me from any dangers that might crop up. And as for the urgency...you never know what to expect. Not eaten? Not my problem, I need to get to that place within the forest, to deliver...important documents there. That's the mission, going to accept it? Or should I just send you back to the Academy now and tell them you're not ready to expect the unexpected?"
Karin grimaced, Haku furrowed her brows, while Ryouta stood up.
"I understand Sensei, I'm ready when you are."
Anko placed her hands on her hips.
"Good response."
Haku looked towards Ryouta, and it reminded her of the time that he came to her defence all of those years ago, when she was with Zabuza, and how she looked to him for guidance, for courage, and she could see that he was determined so she would be as well.
"Yes, I am also ready Sensei, lets go."
"Heh, I like it Ice Queen, good girl."
Karin looked between them all, before sighing.
"As they say, all for one, and one for all. I'm in."
Anko smiled.
"Good, I'm happy that you're all responding this way. Then lets get going! Remember, right now, I'm not a Ninja. I can't defend myself, think about my safety. What do you need to do to make sure I make it to that pillar in one piece? Got it?"
Ryouta, Haku, and Karin nod "Yes Sensei!" Anko looked rather impressed as they began making plans.
Meanwhile, sat on top of the rooftop of the Academy, Satsuki, Sakura, and Naruko looked at the man that was before them. Though his face was hidden by a mask, his lone visible eye showed that he wasn't too pleased right now.
Due to what prank Naruko caused, he seemed to be less than thrilled with the team that he had.
"Now that you're all here, why don't we start with the introductions?" The group looked on with perplexed feelings, their Sensei Kakashi let out a sigh. "Likes, dislikes, hobbies, things of that nature."
Sakura and Naruko looked at one another, trying to figure out what they were going to say.
Satsuki remained aloof, seemingly not caring about what was going on.
"Why don't you go first Sensei? So we know what's going on, and what we're supposed to say."
Naruko suggested as Kakashi raised a single eyebrow.
"Me?" Kakashi pointed at himself, the others nodding. Seeing that, the man began his introduction. "My names Kakashi Hakate. I have no intention of telling you my likes or dislikes." Both Naruko and Sakura were visibly stunned that he said that. "As for my dreams...I don't feel like telling you. As for hobbies, I have a few."
Kakashi finished off as he folded his arms, with Sakura frowning.
"All we learned was his name...what kind of guy is he? ...I don't think he likes us...this is going to be difficult..."
She thought to herself, looking at the Sensei with narrowed eyebrows.
Kakashi then focused his lone eye on Naruko.
"You first blondie."
Naruko sat forward, and grasped his forehead protector as she introduced herself to the group.
"I'm Naruko Uzumaki! I like Hinata, Ryou...and ramen...but ooh, I love the ramen that Iruka-sensei, and Ryou buys for me at Ichiraku's even more! I don't like the three minutes it takes after I put water into the cup ramen. My hobby is to eat and prepare ramen cups, along with playing pranks with my friends." Naruko then stood up and wore a determined face. "And my dream is to become the greatest Hokage that the village has ever seen, and be respected by everyone, and acknowledged as well!"
At that, Kakashi's lone eye widened ever so slightly, before it returned to normal.
"Alright then, pink hair you're next."
Sakura giggled sweetly, poking her fingers together.
"W-Well...my likes...I mean who I like is...ehehehe~ M-My hobbies...ehehehe~ My dreams...hehehehe~"
Satsuki, seeing this not going anywhere, began speaking up.
"I'll answer for her. She likes Ryou, and her hobbies include stalking Ryou. Her dreams are being with Ryou."
"That's not everything!"
Sakura roared at Satsuki who raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so?"
"Actually yes, I do like Ryou-kun and I don't stalk him for the record. I'll start with my hobbies which include a bunch of things, which includes trivia games, and memorizing things Ryou-kun has taught me~"
"What's he taught you?"
Satsuki asked, Sakura stuck out her tongue.
"Wouldn't you like to know? I do train with Ryou-kun after all."
"Yes, I'm very much aware."
Sakura scowled at the way Satsuki said it, as if it was a nuisance for Sakura to do that.
"Anyway, I also have a few likes, outside of Ryou-kun. I actually have gotten into umeboshi recently, it is a good food to enjoy~ My dreams...hmmm, I do have a few but I'm not sure which would be the best to say...well, I do wish to become an outstanding Ninja!"
Kakashi slowly nods before turning to Satsuki.
"Now it's time for you."
Satsuki shrugged.
"Fine. I don't particularly like anything apart from Ryou, my Mother and remaining clan...Hinata's fine, I don't mind her." Sakura scowled as Naruko tilted her head, surprised that Satsuki said that. "There are a few things that I hate. And what I have is more than a dream, it is ambition. The true revival of my clan and to kill a certain someone."
Saying it with an intense stare, Kakashi hummed, before moving onto a topic she brought up.
"So, the revival of your clan...how are you going to go about that?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Satsuki spoke to Kakashi who shrugged. "Ryou and I are Uchiha, we are...hmph, I am not explaining this to you."
"So you and the Uchiha boy...right, got you."
Kakashi understood while Naruko looked on, confusion on her face.
"Eh...I don't get it!"
Naruko yelled, Sakura let out a small breath.
"She wants to marry Ryou-kun, so they can have a family."
"Pft!" Naruko did a spit take. "R-Really?!"
"Yes really, what did you think she meant?"
Sakura murmured as Naruko stared on with immense surprise in her eyes that Satsuki even thought about things of that nature.
Satsuki rolled her eyes.
"What we do together is not your business, Ryou and I have known one another our entire lives, we do many things together, and enjoy being together. He's someone I care for, someone that's supported me through a lot, and I've supported him. I'm sure he's also thought about it. We'll talk about it eventually."
"Say, you'll need a hand in that..."
Sakura murmured, Satsuki's cold eyes went towards her.
"What are you saying?"
Sakura chortled awkwardly, shaking her neck side to side.
"Ooh nothing~"
Kakashi gave a slightly bemused look, before nodding.
"Yes, now it's time for us to discuss what's going to happen. Tomorrow, we'll be doing a mission together. Something that I'd like to call survival training. Also, don't bother eating breakfast, unless you want to hurl."
Sakura grimaced, Satsuki gave a curious look while Naruko seemed excited.
Whatever was going to happen next, each of them definitely were curious.
Meanwhile, the mission Anko had given them had just begun.
Walking into the forest, Ryouta with his visual prowess went first so he could react to any kind of obstacle quickly, Haku stayed behind Anko so she'd be able to use her Jutsu to protect Anko if something was going to happen. Finally Karin stuck close by to Anko, and using her chakra sensing ability, if any kind of opponent came, then she'd be able to inform both in front or behind at a moments notice.
Anko had to admit that it was a rather good way to go towards the forest.
"Not bad...definitely not bad..."
Anko thought to herself, as she witnessed the trio walking carefully into the forest.
As they did however, Anko wasn't going to go easy on them.
She wanted them to know that missions were dangerous, so she made sure that they were aware of the dangers.
When they walked into a certain point, Anko activated a hand sign.
As she did, Karin noticed it, and began saying "Ryou-kun..." but was stopped when the ground below them suddenly broke apart. Shattering like glass, the ground caved in and revealed that there were spikes laying at the bottom of a pit.
"Aaaaaaah!"
Karin screamed, seeing the spikes below her.
She thought that it was rather extreme.
Ryouta immediately got into action, using a piece of debris falling down as a stepping stone, faster than even Anko had thought, shooting off to the north wall of the pit, and had chakra dancing at his feet as he pressed them against the wall, standing sideways.
"So, he can use chakra to walk on walls huh. Saves me sometime in teaching that...I wonder if the others know of it..."
As she thought it, Ryouta looked to Haku.
"Haku-chan! Ready your Kekkei Genkai, I'll create you an easy pathway to use your ice!"
Haku nodded, and created some ice below her feet, and like Ryouta, used it as a stepping stone and had chakra around the bottom of her feet, pressing them against the south end of the pit, and saw Ryouta tossing some shurikens towards her location.
However, they had wire on them, and formed a platform below Karin and Anko.
The shurikens embedded in the wall, all around Haku. She even saw how deep they were into the wall, Ryouta having used chakra to increase their piercing and cutting power, staying within the wall so they'd be able to be used for Haku's power.
"Then it's my turn!"
Haku grabbed the wires, and ran her ice across them after she performed some one handed hand signs, making them more sturdy, creating an interconnected block of ice, using the wire as a base, allowing Karin to land on it first.
"I got her!"
Karin moved below the falling Anko, catching her in her arms.
"My oh my, what a quick response." Anko praised as Ryouta jumped to the ice block, and held his hand out to Anko. "My hero~"
She took his hand, he brought her to his back, and jumped out of the pit, with the others following.
Once out, landing on soft ground, Anko was put down, and looked over the three of them.
"You worked together rather well. First test, I think you did rather well. But that's the first thing we did. There will be a few more, unexpected that might surprise you. For now, lets continue on my Genin~"
Anko pressed on, with the others getting into the same formation as before.
Walking deeper into the forest, they all stayed on the lookout.
However, passing through the forest, Ryouta smelt something…
It was burning.
But more than a burning smell, it was something else also.
"Ryou-kun! Haku-chan! I sense chakra coming from the right of us! It's a good distance away! It feels...like Anko-sensei's chakra...but, at the same time, it isn't...maybe it's something she's controlling with chakra!"
Ryouta used his Sharingan, and looked at the smoke.
Using its abilities to see in greater detail than the normal human eye, he saw that there was something more to this cloud of smoke than meets the eye.
And he was right when he saw something that shouldn't be in there.
"Haku-chan! Blow it away before it gets to us! There's some kind of toxin in it from what I can tell!"
Haku looked, and saw that there was a faster forming cloud, while she went through some hand signs.
"Wind Release, Breakthrough!"
Unleashing a gust of strong wind, the wind sent the cloud of smoke in a different direction as Karin gasped.
"Ryou-kun! Incoming towards the right!"
Ryouta gazed right, and saw that a snake was shooting for him. It wasn't particularly large, but it had a deadly look in its eyes, so Ryouta quickly activated the Body Flicker, and to Anko's happiness, seemed to disappear.
She thought "So, he's quite skilled with that Jutsu, as expected of Shisui-kun's little brother." and watched as his tanto came out, seeing the snake being bisected, dropping to the ground in chunks, as Ryouta landed on the right hand side of the cut up snake.
"So you even saw through that."
Anko seemed impressed.
She thought that they'd be able to deal with some of the tasks that she had set up.
But not all of the ones she had set up.
She was surprised that Ryouta saw the substance within the smoke, she presumed the Sharingan's visual capabilities allowed him to see beyond the human eye, which allowed him to discern that there was something more going on.
"You tried to poison us!"
Karin accusingly yelled at the woman, but Anko shrugged.
"It wouldn't have caused lasting effects, you'd probably have been stopped for a little while, maybe a few minutes. I am your Sensei, I'm not trying to kill you, you know~?"
Karin wasn't convinced, as Ryouta stepped up, seeing the snake he cut up burst into smoke.
"So it was a clone after all."
"I wouldn't kill an innocent snake you know?"
Anko said while wagging her finger towards the young Uchiha.
"That's good, I quite like snakes~"
"I remember~ Now, lets continue on."
Ryouta glanced at Haku who nodded and got back in position.
Karin did the same thing, and they continued on.
For a good hour, they were all on their toes, nothing had happened.
Though Anko made several movements, it seemed that she was trying to keep them on their toes, and Ryouta had to admit that he was glad that Anko was putting them through these tests, it showed her dedication and her desire to see what they could really do.
He presumed Anko had set up emergency escapes for each trap she set in case something did get by them.
But the fact that they were being pushed this much made Ryouta pleased that he could test his skills.
Even Haku was pleased, she was able to put the skills she had learned over the years to good tests.
Karin just wanted to get through the exam in one piece.
But she did believe in her teammates also, and was glad about that.
Anko however looked as if she was enjoying herself as she casually tossed a shuriken upwards.
As she did, many shurikens and kunai's came shooting down as if Anko had tripped a wire that was keeping them all steady.
Like fast shooting hail, they came down within seconds of each other.
"Geez!"
Karin yelled, as Haku stepped up.
"Do not worry, I have this! Ryou-kun!"
"Got it!"
Haku jumped to Anko and Karin, and weaved through some hand signs as Ryouta used his speed to slash the shurikens and kunais out of the air, allowing Haku the time to get her Jutsu ready, which for Haku didn't take long since she could weave hand signs quite quickly.
As she was, Ryouta's Sharingan could see all of the fast moving projectiles as if they were moving slowly, predicting their paths, and using his own weapon, he diverted the path of the weapons so they'd bounce off one another, hitting them so they'd land away from the trio on the ground, creating a circle of weapons around them safely.
"Ice Release, Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
Thrusting out her hands, Haku's Jutsu activated, and a dome of ice surrounded the trio, freezing the air to create a barrier.
At the last moment, before it could fully form, Ryouta slid into it, allowing all four of them to be protected by Haku's Ice Release Jutsu, protecting them from harm.
Anko again was amazed by what she was seeing, but at the same time she held a small smirk on her lips.
"Not bad coordination. Taking advantage of the speed and Sharingan of the Uchiha, to allow you the time to form an ice barrier." Anko looked towards Haku as she said it. "Quick thinking, I like that within a battlefield. Thinking on your toes, keeps you alive. And being able to coordinate with your comrades, knowing their strength is essential. It shows the trust you have within Ryouta-kun, and he has within you."
Haku gave an appreciative smile.
"Thank you Sensei, I have known Ryou-kun for a long time now, and I trust him with my life. He is the reason that I am able to have a good life in the first place. He gave me the strength to carry on after I had lost my reasons. After I thought I was alone within the world, Ryou-kun was there and supported me."
Anko slowly nods her head.
"That explains the trust you have within him. It's nice the trust you've built up, I can see a few things about you now."
As Anko said that, Karin stared at the purple haired woman.
"Maybe I'm confused, but this seems a bit extreme, doesn't it?"
"Extreme? Why do you say that?"
Anko said while running a hand through her hair.
Karin was struggling to understand a few things, and she thought about bringing them up with Anko herself.
"The rapid rate those shuriken and kunai's were going, an average Genin wouldn't be able to dodge that. It seems like it should be Chunin level at least, doesn't it?"
Anko gave a bemused look.
"Is it too much for you? Are you saying I intentionally made it hard?"
"Of course it is! You've thrown us at the deep end and we're being attacked by God knows what!"
Anko peered into the eyes of Karin for a few moments, before folding her arms.
"That's the life of a Ninja, this isn't to test you in your comfort zones. This is to test you for the world outside. The world isn't going to test you at your current level, it is going to expect you to be at the top of your game. To be ready for anything and everything that it could offer. People out there aren't going to take it easy on you, they wont treat you as if you're children. They will see your headbands, and see you as Ninja. Child or not, they wont hold back. Each of you have experienced this according to Hokage-sama, am I wrong in saying that? Ninja wont hold back, that's why it's time for you to show me what you've got deep inside. Not what's comfortable for you, but push you to new limits that you might not even realize you have."
Karin was surprisingly moved by her words, Ryouta thought that Anko sounded rather cool when she said it, and Haku understood it completely.
"Yes...you're right Sensei. Sorry I held us up."
Anko offered a small smile.
"Don't worry about it, I like you spoke your thoughts. And you weren't wrong in the way you thought either. I am making this hard, if I made it a cake walk, what would be the point? Hokage-sama asked me to understand you deeper, and through this exercise, I think that I am. So lets continue."
Once more, Karin was quite pleased to hear the seriousness within Anko's voice.
She presumed Anko wouldn't be this serious, but now that she was, she couldn't help but adopt a small smile on her face.
So they continued on.
Karin gained a renewed strength deep inside from the words of Anko.
Ryouta and Haku also were quite inspired by Anko, and they both believed she spoke the truth.
The world wasn't kind.
It wouldn't stop because they were young.
They would be thrown into the deep end, and they would have to do their best to survive.
More tasks came their way, and they did their best to accomplish them.
Suddenly, Karin yells "Alright guys, we've got some chakra based beasts coming in!" and as she explained where from, they began to appear.
From the right, a bear came shooting out.
Ryouta's eyes shot for it, only for another creature to make itself known, a giant centipede from up above.
Ryouta looked towards it, while Haku did the same thing.
"Ryou-kun, I suggest your Genjutsu. Can it work on animals?"
"Such as these, should do. But I'd need direct eye contact for a few seconds."
"Then leave that to me."
Haku began weaving through hand signs, as Ryouta flashed towards the bear, delivering a hard strike to the upper body of the bear. The kick was so hard and because Ryouta moved so fast, his kick acted like a strong bullet, hitting the bear with enough force that the bear was blown a good distance back, hitting a tree that shook with the impact, leaves falling down around and on the bear that looked to be winded from the attack.
Anko watched as Karin surprisingly got in on the action, taking out a kunai, and tied some wire on it, before she twirled it around like a lasso, before letting it go, and wrapped around the bears body, binding its arms.
"Good, good..."
Anko murmured as Haku finished through her Jutsu.
"Ice Release, Frozen Capturing Field!"
Using her Ice Release, Haku allowed the ground below her to feet, and shoot outwards. As the centipede landed on the ground, the lower body of the creature began to freeze so solid that even its strength due to its size was unable to break free out of it.
Using this chance Haku gave him, Ryouta dashed towards the centipedes eyes, and used his Sharingan on it.
Locking eyes with the massive creature, Ryouta's Sharingan glowed and the design appeared within the creatures eyes several seconds later.
Anko looked on as the creature suddenly moved towards the bear, and wrapped around it, before it could break out of Karin's wire.
"So, he took control over the centipedes body with his eyes. Though it seems to take longer time than using normal Genjutsu to take control over the centipedes body, his usage of the Sharingan is rather strong, he must've trained it a good deal. And then there's the Ice Release, she has a good array of ice techniques she can use, she's rather smart in how she uses it. Then there's Karin, I've seen the least from her so far, but her ability to detect others is rather strong, she felt them coming in before even I did and I knew they were going to be coming to attack as well...I can see why Hokage-sama thought that this team would be rather good in a few areas."
Anko thought as they continued on.
Staying alert, Anko deviously looked down, before sitting down.
Karin looked at her with a scowl.
"What's wrong?"
"You know, my legs are getting tired..."
Anko began, Karin shot her finger at Anko accusingly.
"You're lying! You're a Jonin! If we aren't tired, then you certainly aren't!"
"But right now I'm a civilian, aren't I? Do you expect a civilian to walk for so long before not getting even the tiniest amounts of fatigue? Besides, we've walked for a good number of hours now, that's something that could tire out someone that doesn't have incredible stamina such as ourselves."
Karin sighed, so Ryouta walked towards her.
"Anko-sensei, shall I carry you?"
"There, thinking like a good Ninja~ Yes, that would be great, thank you."
Anko truly was enjoying herself.
Seeing this, and getting to no less be carried around also...it was a joy Anko couldn't get over.
Ryouta got before her, turned around, and then went on bended knee.
Anko's body naturally latched onto his back, her legs going underneath his arms, so he could hold her, and finally allowed her arms to link around his neck.
Anko's head rested near his right shoulder, and she whispered into his ear.
"My, carrying me like this, you're so strong Ryouta-kun~"
"A-Ah...thank you Anko-sensei..."
"When we're alone, you can call me Anko-chan if you like~?"
She teased, causing Ryouta to lightly blush as Karin's eyes burned holes within the young woman's body.
Haku felt complicated as they continued walking on.
Anko though enjoyed doing this very much.
When finally reaching the pillar, Anko who was quite well rested looked over the fresh out of the Academy Genin. She was surprised to see that they weren't as tired as she had imagined they'd be. She thought they'd be gasping for air, but surprisingly it seemed that Karin was slightly winded, but otherwise fine, and the other didn't seem to have much fatigue.
"So we finally reached the pillar. I have to say, you did pretty well. The tests I threw at you, I thought that some might trip you up a little, but each of you reacted to them and managed to work to protect me, bringing me to the pillar as the mission I gave detailed. So, well done to that."
Ryouta, Haku and Karin looked relieved.
However, Anko them pulled out several senbons, holding them between her fingers, and thrust her right hand towards the trio.
"However, this is the final test, and it is about to get interesting."
"F-Final test?"
Karin whimpered, Anko gained a grin on her face.
"That's right, the final challenge. You have to get this." Anko brings out a necklace, she puts it on and winks. "Take this off me, and you become Genin's. If you fail to do so within five minutes, then I'm afraid it's back to the Academy for you~"
Karin, Ryouta and Haku looked stunned.
Hearing that, they knew it was serious.
They even suspected Anko made them go all of this way, to fatigue them and make it even harder.
"So, we have to attack you..."
Karin began as Anko tossed her senbons forward.
Ryouta and Haku reacted, taking out their tanto and senbons respectably, blocking the shots, only to see that Anko was weaving through some hand signs, before inhaling deeply.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
"Ryou-kun, can you handle it?"
Haku asked, Ryouta nodded.
"Got it. You go after me Haku-chan."
"Understood."
Ryouta quickly weaved through his own hand signs, and took a deep breath.
"Water Release, Wild Water Wave!"
Anko was surprised he knew that, watching as he spewed water out of his mouth in a waterfall like fashion.
"He knows Water Release...and he's able to produce it from his body..."
She watched as her fire and his water collided together, creating a mass of steam between the two attacks.
Using that as an advantage, Haku created two ice mirrors, one behind her, and the other behind Anko.
Anko felt the chill in the air, turning to see Haku coming out, before two snakes shot out of her sleeves.
"Damn."
Haku gasped, and jumped back as the snakes tried to wrap around her body, forcing Haku to take out her senbons, throwing them towards the snakes heads, piercing them so they couldn't get in close, while Anko continued battling with fire against Ryouta.
Ryouta saw the Jutsu and thought "The Hidden Shadow Snake Jutsu...so she's even using that huh..." continuing to push his flames as did Anko.
The fires soon die down, leaving scorched earth between them.
Haku then retreated back as Anko leaps up into a tree, peering down at the three of them.
"Not bad, not bad at all. Now it's time to take it up a notch!"
Anko takes out several kunai, before throwing them towards Ryouta and Karin.
Ryouta reacts by blocking them with his tanto as Haku jumps up to meet Anko. Bringing out her senbon, she thrusted it towards Anko who blocked it with her own, before wildly swinging her right foot towards the young ice user.
Haku blocks in time, only to see two snakes shooting out towards her once more. Haku didn't retreat this time, instead she used her senbons to pierce the snakes through the roof of their mouths when they tried to bite her body.
However, Anko used that as a trick to allow her foot to embed itself into Haku's torso.
Haku managed to move her arm in time to block the attack, but the attack still blew her off the tree with incredible force.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Damn it!"
Anko angrily said as she saw Ryouta shooting off a good sized ball of fire right for her body.
The flames weren't a joke, so she had to jump down from the tree, only to see Ryouta appear before her, with his tanto swinging towards her, Anko could see that it was moving so fast that she heard the sound of the air being cut ringing within her ears.
Anko blocked it with a kunai, sparks going off between their weapons with the pressure of the swing being enough for Anko to feel it pushing her back ever so slightly.
"Quick, aren't you boy?"
"I'm just getting started."
Anko smirked, pushing the boy back as she tossed several shuriken towards him. Using his speed, he blocked each and every attack, as Anko used this chance to slide between the thrown shurikens, coming at his right hand side with a senbon to take him down.
Ryouta reacted with his Sharingan aiding him, moving his foot in the way, kicking the top of Anko's senbon so it hit the floor, as Anko threw a kunai for Ryouta, only for him to bend his body out of the way, whipping the leg he used to kick Anko's hand around in a full circle, before swinging it right back for Anko.
Anko also noticed that the speed of the kick was being enhanced by the Body Flicker, so the strength behind it was greater than it usually would be, Ryouta's kick landed against Anko's kunai she used to block, but the pressure forced the kunai out of Anko's hand, allowing Ryouta to briefly land on the floor, before sending a sharp kick towards her body.
"Yes! He got her!"
Karin cheered.
"Gwah!"
Anko coughed out bile from the impact, Ryouta grimaced as Anko flew backwards.
Haku used this chance to try and grab the necklace off of Anko's neck by speeding towards her.
But Anko reacted, twirling in the air, and blocked Haku's hand with her own, forcing Haku's hand to move as a way to create hand signs, allowing her to use her other hand to create snakes out of her sleeve, attempting to wrap around Haku's body.
"Not on my watch!"
Karin saw this coming, having felt the chakra, and tossed several shurikens towards the snakes, cutting them in half as they came out of her sleeve, which made Anko impressed but she didn't quit, and unleashed a Jutsu.
"Fire Release, Fire Dragon Bullet!"
From Anko's mouth, a burst of fire erupts quickly, forcing Haku to dodge out of the way before she could be burned by the technique.
Ryouta using a high speed movement to close the gap as Anko was briefly distracted, came at her with a swing of his tanto.
"Come on kid, give me a break!"
"Sorry Sensei, but I intend to become a Genin, so I can't give up yet!"
Anko liked his attitude, but saw that his movement was too fast.
She couldn't block it in time, and she wouldn't be able to dodge out of the way of it either, so she stuck out her tongue, revealing a dango stick, she filled it with chakra, and shot it towards Ryouta like a bullet.
He quickly moved his tanto to block it, then came at Anko who used the precious seconds to bring out her own kunai, clashing it violently against the young boys sword, the attacks creating sparks that lit up the area, before they jumped away from one another.
Anko panted as she watched Ryouta, Karin and Haku regroup.
"That boy is truly fast. If I didn't use that dango stick, I would've been caught. And that girl with the ice mirrors, her own speed is capable of catching me off guard also. Then there's Karin, she can sense me wherever I can and can inform them within a moments notice. I can see why Hokage-sama saw them as a good team, they have skills that can work together greatly."
As Anko thought about it, Ryouta went through some hand signs.
"Fire Release, Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!"
Allowing his hand to cup around his mouth, Ryouta shoots out several small but deadly fireballs that all go towards Anko's form.
Anko quickly retreats back, seeing the fire following her form.
When one landed before her as she dodged it, she saw the small impact of the flame created a sizeable hole in the earth, Anko grimaced and knew she'd have to dodge out of the way or she'd be burned a good deal.
However, she also felt something odd.
She felt like she was being led somewhere.
And she was proven to be correct when she saw an ice mirror.
Haku came shooting out of it, twirling around as her foot went for Anko's face.
Anko grimaced, deciding to pull back with her foot going inches near Anko's face. Any closer, and Haku would have landed a hit on her, which Anko had to admit was surprising her, yet making her feel excited at the same time.
"Now this is what I wanted to see. You Genin are pretty good, and skilled. I'm quite impressed. Now, lets see if you can handle this."
Anko put distance between them as she weaved through some hand signs.
Ryouta looked at the hand signs she was using, using his Sharingan to deduce what they were, and he looked surprised.
"It's an Earth Release!"
Anko smirked when Ryouta said that.
"Earth Release, Flying Thrown Stones!"
Slamming her hands on the ground, the rocks around shot out of the ground and towards the trio in a barrage of stones. They looked thick, and strong. Being hit by one of them would cause at least minor injuries.
"She has Earth Release as well as Fire Release?"
Karin snapped, Haku nodded.
"As expected of a Jonin, she has at least two elemental nature releases. But, I also have my Ice Release." Haku stated, before weaving through some hand signs herself. "Ice Release, Ten Thousand Ice Petals!"
From using her Ice Release, ice darts that looked deadly sharp appeared surrounding Haku before they began shooting out.
Flying through the air at high speeds, the attacks collided within the middle, and matched one another's attacks, cancelling the other out. Despite the speed Anko's had, Haku's ice was able to pierce it and make it land on the ground harmlessly, protecting the trio from the onslaught of attacks.
Anko continued to smirk at the sight before her, seeing how Haku had acted quickly to stop her Earth Release. However, she also felt that the trio were close each time to truly landing a blow on her body.
She felt as if they could hit her if she let up for even a second.
"Countering my own Jutsu with your own Kekkei Genkai, you three are pretty good. But can you escape this?" Anko weaved through some hand signs, before slamming her hands onto the ground. "Earth Release, Hiding Like A Mole Jutsu!"
As soon as she said it, Anko's body sank through the earth, disappearing under the ground.
"What kind of Jutsu is this? I haven't heard of it before."
Haku asked, Ryouta furrowed his brows.
"I think I've heard of this, it's a Jutsu that turns the ground into soft sand, allowing them to sink under it. They also can sense what's going on above ground with a magnetic field I believe. So she could attack from anywhere, and we'd be none the wiser."
"Such a simple but effective Jutsu."
Haku murmured as Karin placed her hands together.
"She wont hide from me, even if she's underground!"
Karin closed her eyes, and began concentrating.
It only took Karin a few seconds to find Anko, then she gasped when she did.
"Ryou-kun! Below you!"
Ryouta jumped up as a hand shot out of the ground.
However, Anko allowed two snakes to shoot out of her sleeve, going for the young boy to wrap around his body.
As they came close, Ryouta's eyes went for the snakes, so Ryouta breathed fire onto them, allowing the fire to travel down the snakes and towards Anko's form.
"Heh..."
Anko, dismissing the snakes, saw Ryouta coming down, his foot going down like a guillotine, forcing Anko to block with her arm.
The speed of the kick aided in its destructive power, Anko saw the pressure of the kick dented the floor. Her arm felt a tingling sensation, so she had to drop it, only to see Ryouta making a grab for the necklace.
She sharpened her focus, managing to summon many snakes around her, and they became like a wall, blocking Ryouta's hands mere moments before he was going to grab the necklace, but by doing that technique, Anko felt a hit to her chakra pool.
Ryouta jumped back to the others, with Karin focusing her eyebrows.
"I can sense her chakra is lowering, she's becoming less able to use more destructive techniques. Ryou-kun, Haku-chan. I think if we work together now, and trap her, we'll be able to grab the necklace."
"Then allow me to get the snakes out of the way."
Ryouta added, with Haku inclining her neck.
"Leave trapping her to me."
Ryouta nodded, and weaved through hand signs, before facing the snake barrier before them.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
From Ryouta's mouth, a thin stream of fire is released, heading right for the wall of snakes that had been formed. However, as the flames hit, and began to burst, Ryouta took out a kunai with a single explosive tag on it, launching it up above, together with another kunai, and using the Shurikenjutsu.
Ryouta managed to bounce them off one another, launching the explosive tag down towards the fire, Anko's eyes widening in shock.
"Shit..."
She pulled back as the fire and explosive tag mixed, creating an explosion strong enough to force her back into a large tree as well as destroy the snakes.
While attempting to recover, Anko saw ice was on the ground, creeping up her body.
"Ice..."
Her eyes widened once more, and she tried to move, when she saw several shurikens coated in fire launched towards her arms from Ryouta, forcing them down, but by doing that the ice grew up her arms, and locked her in place as Karin rushed forward.
Anko went to activate some of her snakes to break free...but, she then chortled as Karin managed to get in close.
"I guess...they did it..."
Anko thought as Karin grabbed the necklace, then skidded back across the ice.
Karin, Ryouta and Haku let out small breaths as Anko continued to chortle.
"Well, well, well. What a plan...using the fire and an explosive tag to break through my defence, using the ice to trap me, then while trapped made a move to grab the necklace. Using precise timing and teamwork...damn, it seems that I have no choice but to pass you, huh?" Karin, Ryouta and Haku cheered as Anko chortled. "Starting tomorrow, you're all be working under me! Team Six is a go!"
Ryouta smiled cheerfully, Haku humbly bowed her head as Karin kept thrusting her fists into the air.
A small time later, the four were making their way out of the forest, Anko looked at the trio walking before her, and showed a cheerful smile.
"Though you might be Genin's, I wont be going easy on any of you. You realize that, right?"
[Yes Sensei!]
Anko chortled at the sight before her.
"At least you're all capable, there's a few things I think that I can teach you, but you worked together quite well, and your timed attacks were near flawless." Anko said as they continued moving. "You know, today was rather exciting to see~ The fire, the ice, the chakra sensing, all of it was rather interesting. I've never really seen Ice Release before, and seeing the Sharingan in action and then there's little miss chakra sensor there that even detected me under ground...haha, quite an interesting bunch you are."
Ryouta gave a bemused look.
"Anko-sensei, we start missions tomorrow, right?"
"That's right. Though, don't get your hopes up for something awesome. Mostly, Genin tend to do D Rank missions, and maybe if we're lucky, a C Rank mission. Personally, I think we probably will go on a C Rank soon enough, seeing the level of skills I did today, you all have the capabilities to do a C Rank mission."
Haku tilted her head.
"That is fine with me, I presumed we wouldn't be doing dangerous missions from the get go."
"That's right, it's all about wanting to make the Genin know what missions feel like before sending you guys out. In the past, when the wars went on, Genin were sent out to front lines sometimes. Fortunately, we're in a peaceful time, so we don't have to worry about that."
Ryouta began nodding while Karin stretched her arms.
"Aah, I'm quite tired now. Can't wait for a hot bath~" Her eyes alluringly went towards Ryouta. "Say Ryou-kun, maybe you and I could..."
As she was speaking, Haku cut between them,
"Ryou-kun, how about we go out together? A-As a way to celebrate us becoming Genin together."
"Aah sure, that sounds good~" Ryouta replied as he looked to Karin. "Karin-chan, want to-"
"Do you even have to ask?! Naturally!"
Ryouta gave her a curious look, before his eyes went to Anko.
"Sensei, want to come with us?"
"How nice, but I've got to deliver a report to Hokage-sama. Maybe some other time~"
With that, Anko jumped into a nearby tree, before shooting out of the area.
Ryouta looked towards the place she went, before humming.
"Lets go then~"
Together, as a new team, they headed out together, to eat a meal they truly had earned.
Sometime later, Anko returned to the Hokage's office, and walked inside after knocking. Her eyes located the Hokage, who was casually staring out of the window, overlooking the great village of Konoha.
"So, how did it go, Anko?"
"Kids are crazy talented." Anko admitted. "Damn, the Uchiha boy is a talent alright, there were several times I thought that he'd be able to rip the necklace off of me, then there's the ice girl Haku, her ability to coordinate with others, and react is pretty great. Then there's Karin, her sensing abilities are amazing, she didn't seem to need to focus most of the time, the only time she really did was when I was underground."
Hiruzen let out a small chortle.
"Yes, they're quite the talented group. And how do you feel about being their Sensei?"
Anko gave a slightly bemused look.
"Well...it's interesting, I'll give you that. Seeing their talents, and strengths, I'm sure that I can think of ways to harden them up. Though they're plenty hard already. Despite all I threw at them, I saw how they tackled each challenge as if it was just another challenge. Karin was a bit unsure at first...but, she soon came round to it, and did as much as the other two. The fight...damn, I didn't know those kids could do such things. That Ryouta, being able to use Water Release as well as Fire...and that Haku, being able to slide between ice mirrors along with showing some Wind Release, and Karin, I saw her potential today, and how she coordinated with the others..."
Hiruzen smiled as Anko went on about how impressed she was.
He could see that the time they spent together was already making Anko more open to the idea of the students being in her life. He could see that she was a bit reserved about letting them fully enter her heart, but things had only just begun, Hiruzen knew deep down that they'd be able to eventually affect her, and help Anko grow, and hopefully so she doesn't blame herself for Orochimaru.
"So it seems they impressed you enough to pass your exam."
"Yeah, that's right. They did a good job, I can't complain. So, did I pass my own exam?"
Hiruzen continued to smile.
He knew it took a lot to impress Anko, so the fact these children could was something Hiruzen was happy about.
"I can safely say that you did. I watched and saw how you handled it, the reality of their situation, the test of strength you gave them, I was very pleased Anko."
Anko bowed her head, but then hummed.
"Though there is something I noticed."
Anko added, bringing Hiruzen's attention towards her.
"What is it?"
"The Uchiha boy, and the Yuki girl...I felt as if they didn't use their more devastating attacks. Maybe it's just me, but I felt as if they had some stuff that they didn't show, maybe it was something so dangerous that they couldn't do it. I think those two are very talented, Karin isn't a slouch either, with some training I'll get her some combat abilities to go along with her sensing."
Hiruzen held a small smile on his face.
"I see, then maybe it is something like that. Haku-san and Ryouta-kun, they both have some interesting talents."
"So you know they have something, don't you?"
"I believe that I understand a few things about them yes. However, I am sure in time you'll see what they have. They both have lived through quite horrendous situations, so they naturally didn't want to experience anything like that again, and have been training hard. Talent is apart of it, but their desire to become strong is something that has pushed them."
Anko could get that.
But that only made her all the more interested in what was going to happen next.
Whatever it was, she truly was excited to see.
"That's good, you said they were talented, I saw it for myself. That boy can move so damn fast, and I feel as if that isn't his top speed either, the same for Haku-chan...aah, well, leave it to me Hokage-sama."
"Of course, well done today Anko. From what I saw, there will be little that could doubt you being their Sensei."
"Yes...thanks Hokage-sama...I promise, I'll do my best."
Hiruzen chortled.
"I know, I believe in you Anko."
Anko nodded, thrusting her fist in the air.
"Come tomorrow, those Genin will be put through their paces, the Forest of Death hasn't shown everything to them yet! Hahahahaha!"
Hiruzen sweat dropped as Anko began laughing cheerfully.
Though, he could see that she was going to do her best.
When Ryouta returned home that night, he saw that some mail had come, so he looked through it.
He saw one from Mei, which he smiled at and read quietly to himself.
Ryouta gave a bemused look at the letter.
He knew some parts she was having a joke, like the wedding part...well he thought it was a joke anyway.
However, there were other parts that were very serious, and he hoped that one day Mei would be able to help her village out.
He stretched and walked towards the kitchen, seeing Satsuki sat there.
He went over, sitting down beside her, then allowed his head to fall onto her shoulder.
"You're late. Did something happen with your Sensei?"
"Just did a...first mission I guess you could say with our new Sensei. How about you?"
"Tomorrow, apparently it is some survival training."
Ryouta chortled lightly.
"If that's the case, then remember to work with the others, okay?"
"...With Naruko and Sakura..."
Satsuki looked less than willing to do so.
Ryouta lightly tapped the girl on top of her head.
"Satsuki-chan..."
Satsuki sighed.
"Alright, fine. Though I'd much prefer working with you, I'll work with them if necessary."
"Haha, I know you'll do great~ But for now, I think that I'm going to go to bed~"
"Wait for me, I'll come with you."
Ryouta smiled happily, and leaned back in his chair.
"I'll wait for you then~"
Satsuki gave a soft smile, before leaning towards him, and caught his lips briefly, the pair smiling at the feeling, before Satsuki pulled away, and continued to eat.
"You better wait for me."
Ryouta began laughing.
Satsuki offered a slight smirk.
Ryouta thought back on the day, glad that he was able to flex a bit of what he could do.
They also began speaking about what they had done that day, allowing them to finally relax, and be happy together.
Though Ryouta wondered now that he was a Ninja, what kind of life he was going to lead, and how he was going to proceed next.
"I love stabbing~ I love killing things~"
A young woman with long hair happily sang out as she twirled around a number of corpses on the ground.
The soil drenched in blood, sparks of electricity sprinkled everywhere.
Eyes that showed excitement and happiness for what had just happened.
"Hehehehe, see that Ameyuri-chan?! They dropped like flies~"
A young man accompanied her, wearing a mask that disguised his face.
The woman, Ameyuri turned towards him, rolling her eyes.
"Degenerate, be quiet. I was having fun."
"Ameyuri-chan, at least call me by my name..."
He groaned out in slight annoyance.
"Hmph, alright then. Kushimaru, the degenerate."
Kushimaru huffed.
"I know you care for me really~"
Ameyuri sighed deeply, as she walked away from Kushimaru.
Seeing her leaving, he chased after her.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Ameyuri skipped along, until they reached their hideout.
When they did, they found another package waiting for them.
"Ooh my, it seems our benefactor has a new job for us."
"He gives good money, so don't complain you ignoramus."
Ameyuri murmured with a joking tone, Kushimaru seemed perplexed.
"I don't know what that is, but I'm taking that as an insult. But it's fine, I know underneath your hostile ways, you love me~"
"I love you like I love my trash, out of my sight and hopefully destroyed."
Kushimaru sighs while Ameyuri skips around happily, glad to be getting her money, and doing a job she truly loved to do, while Kushimaru was happy enough to be with Ameyuri and doing the thing he loves, killing.
End chapter!
So the team had their first real trial against Anko! She put them through quite a bit, setting traps, creatures of the forest to attack, and then she herself decided to fight against them. Haku, Karin and Ryouta all showed a good number of things they were capable of doing, Haku's skill with Ice Release having grown, Ryouta using some Fire Release, and showing his usage of the Sharingan being quite strong, even revealing some Water Release. Even Karin's ability came in rather handy, while Anko showed off some of what she's capable of doing.
Then at the end, Ameyuri and Kushimaru came back, with an intriguing dynamic! They'll be playing some roles in the near future, so look out for them!
Finally, about Female Gaara (not really thought of any fitting name so far so for now it'll just be Gaara), it was pretty close, but after counting a few times, it seems more are for than against, so thanks to everyone who voted. It's going to be fun to explore the relationship between Ryouta and Gaara.
Some did bring up some points about male friends in the votes, Ryouta does have them, and I will show them more as the story goes on, I've got a few parts of the story that would focus on it, like the friendship/rivalry between Lee and Ryouta is going to involve an emotional moment between them, maybe more than one, his friendship with Shikamaru is going to be touched upon pretty soon and explored more deeply, Neji and Ryouta's relationship is one I want to explore also and see how it evolves, and some even surprising ones that I wont give away just yet.
Well until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko,