A/N Hey everyone, I'm back with another chapter and in this one, the introduction of Konohamaru will go differently since he won't be taught...ugh, that jutsu and I think the sexy jutsu is very offensive to women in general so I'm sure as hell not going to put that in, now what I will do is have Seth and Naruto teach him the shadow clone jutsu and the dangers that come with it while the bell test will go a bit differently this time now that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were taught the importance of teamwork because of the academy's new system so let's begin.
"Kid, are you sure that this is what you want for your ID?" the photographer asked and Naruto nodded while I rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll turn out just fine and Sasuke's went okay," I assured and the man shrugged before getting his camera set up.
"Okay then, though he looks nice in my opinion so the photo will turn out okay," the man admitted before he got under the cover and I stepped out of the way before the man took a photo of Naruto showing a small neutral smile while he wore his forehead protector and dark shinobi clothes with small burnt orange stripes on them.
After that, Naruto and I went into a room where the Hokage and another chunin was waiting before Hiruzen studied the graduation photo with a critical eye while we waited for his response until a few minutes had gone by and Naruto fidgeted a little from being bored.
"So, what do you think? At first, I couldn't figure out how I wanted to look in the photo until dad helped by suggesting I tried something simple so that got me to come up with the idea to look neutral and wear dark shinobi clothing to make myself look like an actual ninja," Naruto explained while resting his hands on the back of his head.
"Yeah, Naruto wanted to paint his face white with red swirls before doing a pose while he also didn't want to have his forehead protector on, but I quickly shot that idea down since he's a ninja now and he needs to take this seriously," I added with a chuckle as I smile sheepishly, then Hiruzen eventually nodded and placed the photo down before looking at us.
"Well, it's a nice photo so good job, now we'll get your ID worked out and you should have it shortly," Hiruzen said before I heard a slight noise just outside, then the door slid open and a familiar kid burst in with a dull shuriken.
"Old man, I challenge you! I'm going to defeat you and become the fifth Hokage!" the kid declared as he charged at Hiruzen, then he suddenly tripped and faceplanted onto the floor with a yelp before the rest of us sweatdropped and I rubbed my eyes to quell a headache.
'Dammit Konohamaru, again? This has to be, what, the third time this week he attempted to attack his grandfather?' I thought in exasperation while Kurama chuckled amusingly.
"I have to admit, the little brat's tenacious," Kurama commented as Konohamaru rolled onto his side and whimpered while clutching his face, then his tutor Ebisu came running in and gasped when he saw Konohamaru on the floor before the kid sat up with a scowl.
"Ugh, something tripped me!" Konohamaru complained and Ebisu looked around before regaining his attention on the kid.
"Are you okay, honorable grandson? Um, by the way, there's nothing here for you to trip on since it's pretty flat," Ebisu pointed out awkwardly as he adjusted his shades, then I tapped Naruto's shoulder and subtly signaled for us to go before something else happened but it was too late when Konohamaru noticed us and marched over to point at Naruto.
"All right, you're the one who tripped me, aren't you?!" Konohamaru accused loudly and Naruto scowled at that before I cleared my throat to get Konohamaru's attention.
"Excuse me, he was all the way over here when you tripped so it's pretty rude accusing someone like that without proof, now you need to apologize for being rude," I lectured sternly before Ebisu gaped at that.
"Do you know who you're talking to?! That's the honorable grandson of the honorable third Hokage so watch your mouth and show some respect!" Ebisu shouted and I was the one who also started scowling as I glared at him.
"What's the matter, huh? I thought you were going to teach me a lesson, tough guy, so are you afraid because the third Hokage's my grandfather?" Konohamaru challenged me before I proceeded to bop him on the head for being a brat while Kurama burst out laughing and Ebisu started twitching with his mouth hanging open.
"I couldn't care less if he's your grandfather, that kind of attitude is unacceptable and you need to learn how to respect your betters because talking to someone in such a manner is going to get you in so much trouble," I scolded before I took Naruto out of the room, then we left the building after that.
Pretty soon, we continued walking and I had a feeling someone was following us as I subtly signaled to Naruto about it, then he signaled back that he understood before we looked behind us to see what might've been a rock, but it was the feet poking out from under it and how wrinkled the poorly disguise was that made us stare at it dryly.
'Seriously, doesn't that kid have anything better to do than follow us?' I thought unamusingly before Naruto and I continued walking after that.
I heard the faint sound of Konohamaru following us again and failing at being quiet until I had enough and spun around, then I proceeded to sweatdrop at seeing the kid failing to hide by using a cloth that mimicked the wooden fence before I quickly walked over and ripped the cloth out of Konohamaru's hands while he let out a startled yelp as I dropped the cloth and crossed my arms.
"Nice try, but I'm a former Anbu captain and currently a jonin so you'll have to do better than that if you want to sneak up on me, though I'll have to give you an A for effort," I stated stoically and Konohamaru started chuckling.
"Saw through my disguise, huh? You're good, so the rumors about you are true," Konohamaru said before he pointed at me and Naruto as he added, "All right, I'll be your apprentice and you'll be my trainers."
"Huh?" Naruto let out while he and I were staring at him like he had two heads.
"And afterward, you've got to teach me a really cool jutsu," Konohamaru added while I blinked at that and started twitching.
"Are you serious right now? Kid, Naruto's going to be in a team and I'll be leading my own soon, so we won't have time to teach you anything," I protested while holding my hands up to empathize with what I said.
"Come on, I need a new trainer so please boss, sensei," Konohamaru begged and that got our attention.
'How the hell is Naruto the boss and I'm the sensei?' I thought in disbelief and Naruto agreed suddenly, making me do a double-take until I sighed and decided to get it over with since the kid would never leave us alone either way until we agreed before we walked together.
"Alright, you want to become a very good ninja, then you need to focus on controlling your chakra first before you get started on learning jutsu, so let me and dad explain what chakra is-" Naruto said until he was cut off.
"Chakra is the elemental life energy that is used to perform jutsu, where the ninja arts combine physical energy from each cell in the body with mystical energy, which is intensified through training and experience.
When these two chakra mixes, special hand signs allow the ninja to focus this combined energy for advanced jutsu," Konohamaru explained and I was surprised by how knowledgable he was, then I saw that he was reading from a scroll and face-faulted at that before I got up and clear my throat.
"Listen up, you can talk about ninja techniques all you want but what it really comes down to is hard work and determination because you'll never get anywhere in life if you don't work for it," I stated and Konohamaru nodded.
"Okay, I get it," Konohamaru said eagerly while I smiled at that.
"Good, now pay close attention because we're going to teach you a jutsu that can only be achieved by working on your chakra control, so are you ready?" Naruto asked before Konohamaru grinned.
"I'm ready!" Konohamaru declared excitingly.
"All right, now watch closely," I said before I conjured up a single shadow clone and Konohamaru's eyes widened.
"Whoa, is that the shadow clone jutsu gramps uses?" Konohamaru questioned, then I nodded as I dispelled the clone.
"Correct, it's a technique where it can save your life in dire situations and you receive the knowledge of each clone once they are dispelled, but it also has a big drawback because of the amount of chakra that's used to create one and that's why it had been declared a forbidden jutsu because of how dangerous it could be if you're not careful with it," I explained while Konohamaru paid attention.
"So, you and boss are going to be teaching me that?" Konohamaru inquired.
"Well, first we have to see if you can conjure up a simple clone first before we can get started with the next level, so try and summon a clone," Naruto instructed, then Konohamaru proceeded to channel his chakra and summon a simple clone that was laying on the floor looking completely dead before it poofed away while I watched with a critical eye and stroked my chin thoughtfully until I could see what the problem is.
"Alright, your technique is good but it's your chakra control that we need to work on a little more, so come with us because there is a wooded area in the village where we can continue without interruptions," I said before we continued walking after that.
Later on, we encountered many people who were very polite to Konohamaru while also warning him to stay away from us while Naruto and I got glared at by them until we arrived at a park and had Konohamaru work on his chakra control a little more before Naruto started looking troubled by something.
"Hey, why is everyone always so nice to you?" Naruto asked in confusion, then Konohamaru frowned irritably.
"Ugh, it's because I'm the grandson of the Third Hokage and it's so annoying," Konohamaru grumbled before I patted him on the shoulder to reassure him.
"Hey, don't let it get to you so much because now that we helped you with your chakra control, it's time to teach you how to use the shadow clone jutsu but, before that, you need to focus on the clone jutsu first before you can get started on something so advanced," I assured and Konohamaru looked surprised until he smiled in determination.
"Right, I'm ready sensei, boss," Konohamaru agreed until we got started and a few hours had gone by before we decided to take a little break and sat on a log while sipping from our cans of soda.
"I've been meaning to ask you, but why are you so determined to become Hokage that badly?" I questioned curiously and Konohamaru looked down while frowning at nothing in particular.
"My grandfather named me Konohamaru after the ancient name of the village so it should be easy to remember but no one calls me that name, not one person in the whole village and that's because when they look at me, they don't really see me and all they see is the "honorable grandson" of the lord Hokage.
No one knows who I am and I can't stand it anymore since it's like I'm invisible, like I don't exist and I hate that so that's the reason why I have to become Hokage now so people will know who I am," Konohamaru explained with his voice filled with frustration and I felt sorry for him.
'Poor kid, he wants to become Hokage so people will acknowledge him as a person, something Naruto and I know all too well,' I thought sympathetically while Naruto looked thoughtful.
"Hey, you think people are going to accept you just like that? A kid your age just can't become Hokage after a day or two because it's not that simple...you keep saying that you want to become Hokage but you know what you have to do to achieve that title?" Naruto commented and Konohamaru looked at him.
"What is it?" Konohamaru asked before Naruto smiled at him.
"You have to earn it by proving yourself through hard work and determination," Naruto stated and we continued chatting for a little bit until I picked up someone arriving behind us, then I looked back to see it was Ebisu while he was perched on a tree branch until Naruto and Konohamaru looked behind us to see what I was staring at.
"I found you," Ebisu announced while he glared down at me and Naruto coldly, then he jumped down and landed onto the ground while we got up and turned to face him.
"So, honorable grandson, time to go home," Ebisu said before Konohamaru glared at him.
"No way, I'm learning how to beat my grandfather so that I can get the title of Hokage, now don't get in my way!" Konohamaru shouted defiantly and Ebisu chuckled amusingly while he started approaching us.
"Come now, a Hokage is more than just a fighter, he must know honor, virtue, wisdom, and he must be skilled in a thousand jutsu while you don't even know one jutsu," Ebisu lectured while I scowled at how condescending he sounded as Konohamaru growled and correctly summoned a single shadow clone before he started gasping and rested his hands on his knees.
"How...about...now?" Konohamaru wheezed while Ebisu gawked at him before he started holding his head in horror.
"Honorable grandson, where did you learn that?! The shadow clone jutsu was labeled forbidden by the Second Hokage for a reason because of how dangerous it is if you're not careful with it, so stop this right now since it is obvious that Naruto and Seth are putting you into a reckless situation that will get you killed, now only my special training can put you on the fast track to becoming Hokage!" Ebisu exclaimed incredulously as he ran over and grabbed Konohamaru before trying to drag him away, then he started struggling with the kid as I cleared my throat.
"Hey, there is no fast track to becoming Hokage and we are not getting him into anything because he's the one who approached us for training and we agreed to it before teaching him the dangers of how to use the shadow clone jutsu, so don't accuse us of being bad teachers since you're not exactly a good one either," I stated irritably, causing Ebisu to let go of Konohamaru before he stormed up to me with a glare.
"Excuse me?" Ebisu questioned darkly as he got into my face, only I didn't back down from the challenge.
"You don't even see him as a person, just nothing more as a symbol of the Third Hokage, don't you?" I retorted and Ebisu showed that he didn't like that by trying to hit me with a fast strike to the face, only I redirected it and kicked him back a few feet.
"Nice try, but you only proved my point in showing just how arrogant you are by not even taking simple criticism well," I lectured coldly with my eyes hard as stone.
"Shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto declared before thousands of clones appeared all around us and it caused Ebisu to widen his eyes in shock as he quickly looked around.
"W-What?! This is impossible so how did you do that?!" Ebisu exclaimed in disbelief while Konohamaru looked amazed.
"Because of his enormous chakra reserves, Naruto can summon more clones than anyone else in the village," I explained before Ebisu managed to regain himself by shaking his head and chuckling.
"While it is impressive, I am a Jonin so watch as a real ninja defeats an upstart," Ebisu stated as he got ready, then I decided to step in by also conjuring a few dozen shadow clones until Ebisu started looking less confident.
"If I were you, I'd leave unless you want to test how skilled you are against the two of us," I said as Ebisu started sweating at the odds being put against him and the killer intent I was sending him until he huffed.
"Very well, you've won this time but we're not finished," Ebisu grumbled before he reluctantly left and the clones dispelled as the sun started setting, then Konohamaru gritted his teeth as his clone poofed away.
"Oh man, I could barely stand after summoning that clone...I want to be Hokage so bad, but how can I if that's going to happen from now on and why can't I do it?!" Konohamaru complained in frustration, then I sighed as I walked over and placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it's not that easy because the Hokage is known as the wisest and experienced shinobi in the entire village, so you won't be able to achieve the title in just a few days since it takes years before you can reach that point, not to mention that you have to prove yourself that you're worthy of gaining that title or no one will ever take you seriously," I told him as Konohamaru looked up at me and Naruto nodded in agreement.
"Dad's right and look at us, we've been through a lot already and after going through so much, we found people who believe in us and before that...we had to go through many trials throughout our lives so you better get ready," Naruto added.
"For what?" Konohamaru asked and I smiled at him.
"For many struggles as you grow up and learn to be a ninja since it'll be a hard road for you before you become Hokage," I answered as I removed my hand from Konohamaru's shoulder, the kid looking surprised before he frowned and turned away from us.
"Ha, who do you guys think you are anyway, giving me a big lecture like that? That's it, I'm not going to be your apprentice anymore because from now on, we're rivals!" Konohamaru declared firmly until he looked back and grinned at us with a chuckle while Naruto and I smiled back at him.
"Well, we can't be your trainers anyway since I'm going to be placed on a team and dad will be leading his, so we're going to be a bit busy but we accept your challenge and, someday, you and I will fight for the title of Hokage...so let's look forward to that day, Konohamaru," Naruto stated with a soft smile as Konohamaru looked stunned, then Naruto and I started walking away and raised our hands in a gesture of goodbye.
"You know something, Kurama, I believe that kid's going to go far in life and I also believe that Naruto will become Hokage one day," I told the giant fox, who hummed in response.
"When he does, he'll be the most interesting Hokage I've seen before," Kurama commented with a chuckle as Naruto and I headed home to get ready for tomorrow with Sasuke.
Tomorrow morning, I got dressed in my jonin uniform with the green flak jacket before spending most of the morning doing some preparations for the test until I met up with Kakashi and we headed to the academy, arriving at the classroom and opening the door before seeing Naruto perking up while Sasuke sent me a nod and a girl with short pink hair looked at us in confusion.
"Dad, what are you doing here with Kakashi?" Naruto asked curiously, then I smiled while scratching the back of my head.
"I'm here because the Hokage and I have been talking and decided to do a little experiment by pairing two jonin senseis together on a genin team to see if mission performance will become more successful, but enough about that since we should get the proper introductions out of the way so meet us up on the roof in 30 seconds," I said before Kakashi and I body-flickered up to the roof and waited until the three genins quickly arrived before 30 seconds were up and sat down.
"All right everyone, let's begin introductions so I'll go first. My name is Kakashi Hatake...things I like and things I hate, I don't feel like telling you that while dreams for the future, never really thought about that and, as for my hobbies, I have lots of hobbies," Kakashi said unhelpfully while the rest of us sweatdropped.
'Yeah, real informative there, Kakashi,' I thought dryly and Kurama snickered amusingly as I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Okay, now it's my turn so my name is Seth Mercer and my likes are hanging out with my sons and helping them get stronger while my dislikes are close-mindedness, dishonesty, and criminal behavior. My hobbies are photography, cooking, reading, and physical fitness while my dream for the future...is to live life with no regrets," I introduced calmly while the others looked at me before Kakashi returned his attention to the genin in front of us.
"Well, that was a nice introduction so why don't you guys start?" Kakashi encouraged before Naruto smiled.
"Sure, I'm Naruto Uzumaki and my likes are my dad, gardening, and training while my dislikes are people who see me and dad as monsters without getting to know us, those who think they are better than others, and bullies.
As for my hobbies, it's training to get stronger, pulling pranks to make people laugh, and discover more about my family history while my dream is to become Hokage and prove to the village that dad and I are not the monsters they think we are," Naruto said as he rested his hands on the back of his head.
"Interesting, next," I said before the girl with pink hair nodded.
"I'm Sakura Haruno, my likes are people who take things more seriously and overcome their weaknesses, my dislikes are those who mistreat people who are different while my hobbies are to get stronger so that I won't be weak and also help those in need.
As for my dream, I wish to become a ninja as strong as the legendary Tsunade herself," Sakura stated with a serious expression, making me surprised to hear that since I was expecting something different.
"All right, last one," Kakashi commented before Sasuke looked up at us.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha, my likes are tomatoes and my friends, my dislikes are those who seek to hurt those I care about, and my dream is to one day bring my clan's murderer to justice," Sasuke introduced, then Kakashi and I nodded meaningfully while I was glad to help him recover from his trauma for the past few years as I clapped my hands together.
"Well, now that we've gotten the introductions out of the way, it's time to explain what you'll be doing next tomorrow...what'll happen is that you'll be doing a survival exercise, a test to prove that you are ready to become ninja but bear in mind that we won't go easy on you just because you're kids and what you need to understand is that this test is a make it or break-it exercise that has a 66% chance of failure," I explained, causing the three genins to tense up before they narrowed their eyes in determination.
"We won't fail," Naruto stated before Kakashi and I looked squarely at him.
"We would hope so because if you do fail...well, you can forget becoming ninja again," Kakashi empathized seriously.
"All right, meet us at training ground seven at five in the morning tomorrow and make sure not to eat breakfast because you'll throw up," I added until Kakashi and I body-flickered away until I arrived home.
Before I knew it, it was the next day while I had met up with Kakashi and we headed to training ground seven until we arrived to find the three genins waiting for us while Naruto looked bored, Sakura looked impatient, and Sasuke looked stoic as they spotted us.
"You're late," Sakura pointed out with a scowl, then Kakashi smiled behind his mask with his uncovered eye closing.
"Well, a black cat crossed our path so we had to take a long way around," Kakashi commented and the rest of us sweatdropped.
"That has to be the worst lie I have ever heard of in my long life and I've heard plenty," Kurama remarked dryly as I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment, then I noticed that the three genins looked focused and wide awake while I also didn't hear their stomachs growling.
"Anyway, let's get started and I see that you ignored our instructions to not eat breakfast, as well as get up early," I pointed out with an arched brow before Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, the academy taught us that not everything is as it seems and that a ninja must see through deception, so we talked and came to the conclusion that you guys telling us not to eat breakfast and to get up early was a way to make us weak during the test," Naruto explained, and I was impressed that he and the other two genins were able to figure it out.
"Not bad," I complimented as Kakashi headed over to one of the three wooden posts and placed a timer on it before starting it and taking out two bells with rope tied at the ends.
"Here we go, it's set for noon and your assignment is very simple, just take these bells from us and that's all there is to it.
If you can't get them by noon, you go without lunch and will be tied to those posts before being forced to watch while we eat our lunch in front of you," Kakashi said as he handed me one of the bells and kept the other while Sakura looked puzzled.
"Excuse me, there are three of us and only two bells so why is that?" Sakura asked in confusion until I sent her a foxy grin while Kakashi and I tied the bells to our waists.
"Well, that way, at least one of you will end up tied to a post and ultimately be disqualified for failing to complete the exercise, then that person will be sent back to the academy...although, all three of you could quit if you can't handle it.
You are also allowed to use any weapon during this exercise, even shuriken because you won't be able to get the bells if you don't come after us with lethal force. Now, when we say start, you may begin," I explained as the three genins looked to be getting ready.
" Get ready, and...start!" Kakashi instructed before everything kicked off from there.
Naruto conjured a single shadow clone that started attacking us and we quickly defended ourselves as the three genins had been given an opening to flee into the forest, then I zipped around to dispel the clone with a fast and vicious strike to the back before Kakashi and I started searching for them in the forest while I wondered what Naruto and the other genin will do next.
Pretty soon, the entire forest became filled from top to bottom with shadow clones that had transformed into carnivorous animals like dogs, bears, foxes, and wolves before Kakashi and I were forced to evade thousands of gnashing teeth and claws that would badly injure us until nine brown tails formed from Kurama's chakra and I began whacking clones away from us with my tails, as well as pulling out my sword to slice and stab any transformed clone that got too close while Kakashi also used a kunai to defend himself.
I knew that each clone was only as strong as the average bandit or civilian guard, but the sheer number of them and our reluctance to use high-level jutsu on a genin gave me and Kakashi no choice but to retreat back to the posts and as soon as we were out of the forest, all the clones dispelled and shrouded the area in smoke.
Kakashi and I let out sighs of relief and relaxed slightly as my tails shrank back into my spine, only we were immediately forced to react when thousands of shuriken came out of the trees and it made me put up an earth wall to block the lethal attack, then we were taken completely off guard when a few shurikens poofed back into more Narutos and they attacked us with fast and deadly slashes with kunai.
"Crap, when did Naruto come up with something like that?!" Kakashi exclaimed in disbelief as he conjured four shadow clones to assist us until I sensed Sakura and Sasuke gathering chakra.
"On our six!" I alerted urgently before a hail of fire and razor blades came roaring out of the forest at us.
I was forced to roll out of the way before I found myself dodging and blocking attacks from Naruto and a few clones as Sasuke and Sakura's attacks collided into the earth wall before causing an explosion until I formed my tails again and sent them flying by swinging all my tails before Sasuke came out of nowhere and went to grab my bell.
My eyes widened as I grabbed and threw him away while Sakura showed up with a kunai to attack me before I pulled out my own and we clashed with our own kunai as the blades struck each other several times until Sakura suddenly jumped back, making me confused at first before I noticed something missing from my waist and my eyes bugged out in shock when I saw that my bell was gone and Kakashi was frantically patting his sides as Naruto grinned and Sasuke smirked until they held up the two bells.
"Well, looks like you got the bells, so now what are you going to do with them?" Kakashi asked before Naruto chuckled.
"Sensei, the true meaning of the bell test wasn't to get the bells but for us to work together so that we could successfully complete the objective, and I believe we passed," Naruto stated with a mischievous smile, impressing me and I could see Kakashi nodding.
"And you are correct so good work figuring out the true purpose of this exercise and congratulations because you pass, so Team Seven is now official," I said proudly, then Naruto cheered loudly while Sakura and Sasuke smiled at their victory.
"Before we go and celebrate, we want to show you something," Kakashi said before he walked over to a familiar stone statue in the shape of a kunai blade, and my good mood faded as the rest of us followed him until we stood in front of it.
"Look at this stone...do you see the names engraved on it? They belonged to the ninjas who are honored as heroes in our village," I said solemnly as my mood changed to sorrow and Sakura's eyes widened.
"Sensei, you said that those names belonged to the ninjas of our village so are you saying that..." Sakura trailed off but I stared at the stone and didn't look back.
"Yes, this is a memorial stone to honor those who are are all KIA with some of them still MIA, but the bodies were never recovered so their names are carved here to never forget their sacrifice for the leaf village...some of my closest friends' names are engraved here.
We want to show you this so that you realize just how life-threatening a ninja career could be and a friend of mine once said that those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their friends are even worse than trash so never forget that for as long as you live," Kakashi said quietly as a gentle breeze hit us, causing the others to nod.
"We won't, sensei," Sasuke accepted as I gazed at Minato and Kushina's names on the stone and sent a single smile at the names before I turned around and started beaming.
"Well, now that you all passed, your first mission starts tomorrow so be prepared for that but, for now, let's celebrate," I declared until we all started leaving the training grounds and I had a feeling that things were going to get interesting down the road.
A/N Oh Seth, you have no idea, and hello everyone, another chapter is done and you can see how much everything has changed because of Seth's presence and, I know it's been done so many times, but the wave arc is next and I've been trying to come up with a title for Seth in the bingo book since he's bound to have gotten his name put in the bingo book during his ninja career, so tell me what kind of title Seth should have that fits him since I want it to be unique.
Well, let me know what you think, and stay tuned since the fight with Zabuza will be similar to Naruto and Sasuke's fight against Momoshiki in Boruto.