Naruto: Archer and Loner
As always, I own neither Naruto nor Bleach. If I did, Itachi would've been seen as a hero and he would've killed Sasuke. Thank you all for sticking around. Now onto the next chapter!
The Fate of a Team
At exactly 10 on the dot, Naruto knocked on the Hokage's office door. Hearing a murmured 'come in,' he opened the door and walked in. Sitting at his desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat looking even older than when Naruto last saw him.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama," Naruto began. "I am here for our scheduled meeting about the fate of my team."
"Good morning, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen replies. "Yes. Please sit. There will be a lot to discuss today about your team. We're still waiting for the jonin sensei of team seven to arrive."
Naruto sat down in one of the chairs in front of the Hokage's desk. Looking more closely at the Hokage and the stacks of paperwork stacked on his desk, Naruto begins to think, 'can't the Hokage use Shadow Clones to do all the paperwork?'
"Hokage-sama," Naruto begins. "I have a question about being the Hokage."
"What is your question," Hiruzen asks.
"If you have so much paperwork to do, more so than a normal person, as the Hokage can't you use Shadow Clones to help," Naruto asks.
"W-w-what," Hiruzen stutters. "Damn it! That is how he did it. He made being Hokage look like a cake walk."
"Who do you mean, Hokage-sama," Naruto asks.
"The Fourth Hokage. He never had the mountains of paperwork I have," Hiruzen replies. "Thank you for asking your question, Naruto-kun. Now I might be able to finally finish all this paperwork before the year is through!" Naruto chuckles at the Hokage's statement. A soft knock comes from behind him and Hiruzen straightens up and says clearly, "Come in." The door slowly opens and Kakashi Hatake lazily walks inside.
"You are late, Hatake," the Hokage says sternly.
"I got lost on the road of life," Kakashi lazily replies.
"You were told to be here at 10 A.M, Hatake," the Hokage says standing up. "If you don't get serious right now, I will demote you to genin, have that eye removed and a Yamanaka remove all jutsu knowledge from your mind. You are here for a meeting concerning your genin team. So, sit down and pay attention."
Kakashi's visible eye widens at the Hokage's declaration. He quickly moves and sits in the chair next to Naruto.
"Now that we are all here, let us begin," Hiruzen says as he sits back down in his chair. "First, let's talk about what Naruto has been doing for the past two months since team seven's mission to Wave."
"Well, Hokage-sama," Naruto began, "I have been training with Kiski-sensei in Uzumaki clan techniques and Zabuza-sensei has started training me in kenjutsu and improving my speed. I have learned the water walking technique to improve my chakra control and I am still learning about fūinjutsu."
"That is very good, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen says. "What has Kakashi taught you since you became a genin?"
"You want the honest answer, Hokage-sama," Naruto asks. Hiruzen nods in reply. "Kakashi has taught me nothing. His main focus with the team was team-building exercises. He never taught me any jutsu or chakra control techniques."
"That isn't true, Hokage-sama," Kakashi begins, "I've taught survival techniques and I taught the surface clinging chakra control technique."
"You taught Sasuke and Sakura that technique, Kakashi," Naruto replies. "You didn't even teach it until after the first time we faced Zabuza in Wave."
Hiruzen narrows his eyes at hearing this. "You mean you took your genin on a C-ranked mission without teaching them basic chakra control, Kakashi," he asked in a low voice.
"Hai, Hokage-sama. There just wasn't enough time," Kakashi replies.
"Only because you would show up to the 'team meetings' three to four hours late," Naruto snaps out.
"Kakashi, your laziness is over. From now on, you will be at all meetings on time," Hiruzen begins. "Your days of skirting your duties are over. You are a Jonin. You are supposed to be teaching your genin how to survive in this cruel world we live in. Have your genin been blooded?"
"No. I fear they don't have the mindset yet," Kakashi replies.
"I have, Hokage-sama," Naruto states, shocking both Hiruzen and Kakashi. "Kiski-sensei blooded me in my third year at the academy. He felt that I was ready and that it should be done in a safe place instead of out in the field where I could freeze up."
"I will have to thank Kiski later for going above and beyond when it comes to your training, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said. "Kakashi, your disregard of your team is pathetic. You and I both know your sensei never showed such disrespect when it came to his genin." Kakashi's visible eye narrowed at hearing this. "If this continues, you will never have another genin team to teach."
"You can't do this, Hokage-sama," Kakashi replies.
"The hell I can't," Hiruzen shouts. "I am the Hokage. I am the leader of all the ninja in this village. If even one of my ninja can't follow simple orders, then that ninja will be punished how I see fit. Let us continue our discussion. Next we will discuss Sakura Haruno. From what I have heard from Anko, Sakura has gained 15lbs and some of the fangirlish habits have been culled. She shows an aptitude towards either genjutsu or Iryō Ninjutsu. Sakura has excellent chakra control, so either of these two branches would be viable for her."
"I would suggest Iryō Ninjutsu, Hokage-sama," Naruto says. "Having a medic-nin on a heavy assault squad would be beneficial to our team. I would also suggest having her learn some form of close combat kenjutsu to protect herself at close range."
"Your idea has merit," Hiruzen replies. "What is your opinion, Kakashi?"
"I agree with Naruto. Having a medic on the squad would be a benefit. However, I don't know any medical techniques," Kakashi replied.
"She can learn from assisting at the hospital," Hiruzen states. "There, she will learn the basics and hopefully branch out on her own until we can find her a good teacher. Now let's move on to the problem child of team seven, Sasuke Uchiha. Inoichi Yamanaka has been seeing Sasuke three times a week for counselling sessions. From what Inoichi has told me, Sasuke is a very disturbed individual. His constant thoughts are on revenge against his brother. Itachi really screwed with the boys mind the night of the massacre."
"Will we have to be careful around him," Naruto asks.
"Yes and no. If he doesn't learn to develop bonds with the village, I fear he may be a flight risk and a danger to everyone around him," Hiruzen replies. "On top of all this, Inoichi has told me of the special training you have been giving Sasuke, Kakashi. You care to explain this?"
Kakashi starts sweating under the glare Hiruzen leveled at him. "I thought Sasuke was important to the village. So, I trained him more than the other two genin," Kakashi replied.
"One genin is not more important than others, Kakashi," Hiruzen says sternly. "You taught Sasuke dangerous techniques. You know the boy is disturbed. Why would you teach him things that can be used to kill?"
"I saw myself in him. I thought he would come to respect what I was teaching him," Kakashi states. "I hoped it would help endear him to the village."
"Well your little plan backfired. Now Sasuke knows more techniques than I am comfortable with. From now on you are to teach Sasuke nothing but patience and responsibility," Hiruzen replies. "As for Sakura, you teach her how to work with the team and make sure she arrives at the hospital at the allotted times so she can learn Iryō Ninjutsu. Am I understood?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Kakashi replies. "What about Naruto?"
"Naruto is not your concern. If it hadn't been for others in his life, he wouldn't know anything," Hiruzen shouts. "You need to focus on Sasuke and Sakura before you even attempt to focus on Naruto. Naruto knows the team comes first and he knows how to work with others. His other, more competent senseis have seen to that. You are dismissed. Your first team meeting will be tomorrow at 8 A.M."
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Naruto and Kakashi state as they stand up and turn to leave.
"Remember my words, Kakashi," Hiruzen begins. "Don't be late again."
Uzumaki Clan training grounds
Naruto sat in the middle of the training ground thinking over his meeting with Kakashi and the Hokage. 'No matter how I think about it, I see nothing but trouble in the future for team seven,' Naruto thought to himself. 'The only way things will work out is if Kakashi actually takes the Hokage's advice and restrain Sasuke from being so brash. Hopefully Sakura will be better.' Naruto stands up as Kiski shunshins in front of him.
"Good afternoon, Kiski-sensei," Naruto says.
"Hello, Naruto. How did your meeting with the Hokage and Kakashi go," Kiski asks.
"It went about how we expected it to go. Kakashi kept trying to make excuses and the Hokage shot him down at every turn," Naruto replies. "I did however learn one thing. Kakashi had been giving Sasuke jutsu training."
"Not good. That boy is a danger to this village," Kiski says shaking his head. "What about Sakura?"
"Apparently there has been an improvement with Sakura," Naruto begins. "She's gained some weight and some of the fangirl tendencies have been taken care of. She might have an aptitude towards either genjutsu or Iryō Ninjutsu. The Hokage has stated she will start assisting at the hospital to start learning medical jutsu and knowledge."
"A medic on your team would be a benefit," Kiski replies. "How are you coming along with Seele Schneider and manifesting a blade?"
"So far I am able to create a foot long blade," Naruto states. He pulls out the Seele Schneider and manifests the blade in seconds.
"Good. You're able to create the blade in seconds," Kiski states surprised at Naruto's progress. "Your goal is to make a blade that is two feet in length. This would be ideal for using it in close combat and using it as an arrow."
"Hai sensei," Naruto replies. He sits down and focuses on the Seele Schneider.
"I will leave you to it for now, Naruto," Kiski says. "Remember to not overexert yourself. You do have other people who may be able to help you with this. I will see you at dinner." Naruto nods as Kiski walks off.
'I can do this,' Naruto thinks to himself as he focuses more on the Seele Schneider. 'I just need to focus more without wasting the energy to create the blade.'
'You'll have to do better than that, flesh bag,' the Kyuubi rumbles from Naruto's mind.
'What do you want, Kyuubi,' Naruto asks. 'You've been silent these last few months. I thought I was done listening to your inane ramblings.'
'If only we were both lucky in that regard, flesh bag,' the Kyuubi roars. 'I have been quiet due to outside influence. Now I will be heard. You have to watch yourself around your team. If given the chance, they will all betray you.'
'Wow. Advice from the great Kyuubi,' Naruto replies. 'You're saying something I already know. I know I'll have to be on my toes around them. That isn't something new in my life. I've always had to be on my toes around everyone in this village.'
'Heed my warning, flesh bag. If you don't we will both suffer from your mistake,' the Kyuubi rumbles.
'This coming from a supposed all powerful being who is afraid of Yhwach,' Naruto replies.
'Insolent whelp! If you think I'm a danger to your precious village, then he is a danger to the whole world,' the Kyuubi snarls. 'He will destroy everything in his path. He has no remorse and doesn't care for anything in this world! You don't want to release me from this infernal seal, and I can respect that. However, you must not allow that man to gain control over you!'
'And how do you suppose I do that,' Naruto asks. 'No one knows anything about him other than legends that are obscure. All I could do back in Wave was nothing. I don't see how I can stop him.'
'You'll learn how to someday,' the Kyuubi states then goes silent.
'Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,' Naruto replies.
Next Morning 8 A.M
Naruto stood on the bridge leading to training ground seven waiting for his team to arrive. 'First day back together and everyone else is already late,' he thinks to himself. He turns as he sees Sakura waking up.
"Good morning, Naruto-san," Sakura states.
"Good morning, Sakura-san," Naruto replies.
"We're the first ones here," Sakura asks.
"As you can see, yes," Naruto replies. "I imagine Kakashi and Sasuke will be here when they get here. Be patient."
They both turn as someone shunshins in front of them in a cloud of smoke. When the smoke clears, they see both Kakashi and Sasuke standing there.
"Good morning, Naruto, Sakura," Kakashi says.
"Good morning, sensei," Sakura replies.
"You are both late," Naruto states. "I hope this doesn't become a habit."
"What do you know, dobe," Sasuke says while glaring at Naruto.
"I know that a ninja must be on time for everything," Naruto replies. "Showing up late shows disrespect and can cause you future jobs."
"Whatever. We're here now," Sasuke snarls back. "Let's get this meeting over with. I have training to do."
"Yes, my cute little genin. Let's have our little meeting and see where we go from here," Kakashi says with an eye smile.
Whew! Another chapter done. I decided to stop here so I can dedicate a full chapter to the team meeting. Now, before any Kakashi lovers complain about him getting a new one ripped in this chapter, look at both the manga and anime closely. Then tell me what exactly Kakashi taught Naruto or Sakura. The only thing that comes to mind with Naruto is the tree waking exercise and the secret to the shadow clone jutsu. Two things a component sensei would've taught within the first months of having a genin like Naruto. Fact of the matter, Kakashi was never a sensei to Naruto in my opinion. Hence why he got a new one ripped in this chapter. Anyways, thank you all for sticking around and keeping up with the story. I hope to have another few chapters done soon!