Chapter 2 – Bet
Tsume stood in front of the elders of the clan. It consisted of three old people and three ancient K-9. The group looked at the woman who was facing them without fear. She was called to face them after a month of rumors. She wasn't stupid of the rumors going around the village. Apparently, her clan was accused of protecting Naruto. Kiba really had to word his words better because it was perceived that any action against Naruto was an action against them. That was not the truth but it was worrying people, mostly civilians.
"Do you know why we called you here today Tsume?" one of the K-9 asked.
"I do but I think it is a waste of time." Tsume said.
"I understand your frustration Tsume but it is a concern of the clan that you might have put the village against us." One of the elders spoke.
"Why? Because my son is friends with the container?" Tsume growled.
"We are not against it. Your son is free to be friends with whoever he wants. We just want to let the village know that we are not really protecting him." Said another elder.
"Image is everything in this village Tsume. If it looks like that we are protecting him, the village may turn on us just like they did the Uchiha." Another K-9 added.
"We aren't the Uchiha and I'm not telling anyone to attack the populace if they mess with Naruto. My son was speaking without thinking when he helped him out. As a whole, the Inuzuka are not going to fight with the civilians. I will go before the council and explain that. My son and Naruto are just friends." Tsume explained.
"We would like that. We do apologize for this Tsume but we are only looking out for the clan." The last elder said.
"I understand perfectly and I'll have no issues. I'll go and speak with the Konoha council right now." Tsume said.
"Where are your son and young Naruto? I know that they are on the grounds." Asked the final K-9.
"Oh, Hana is teaching them how to fight." Tsume answered with a grin. The six can only chuckle at the grin of the Inuzuka leader.
XXX
Kiba and Naruto hit the ground hard. Both struggled to get up and face Hana. The young woman had an amused grin on her face and it was pissing Kiba off. It wasn't the only thing that pissed him off.
"Damn it Naruto, get your head in the game! We can't let her beat us up like this!" Kiba exclaimed.
"Hey, it isn't my fault! She's cheating!" Naruto exclaimed back.
"I'm a kunoichi Naruto so there is no such thing as cheating. I'm only using what I have to win. It isn't my fault that you are a little pervert." Hana said amusingly.
"I'm not a pervert! Yes, I admit that you're cute but that does mean that you aren't cheating by pushing up your cleavage!" Naruto tried to reason. This only made her laugh. Naruto looked at Kiba. "Okay Kiba, let's get going."
"Now you're talking. Let's go Naruto, Akamaru!" Kiba shouted. The two boys and small pup ran toward Hana. Kiba and Naruto changed positions as they neared her. When they were close enough, the two boys attacked. Punches and kicks were thrown at the young woman. Hana was impressed that they were in better sync than before. When they hit each other earlier it was pretty funny. Still, it was time to show these two who they were messing with.
Hana whistled to her dogs. The three charged and attacked the two boys. Kiba and Naruto were not expecting it. Kiba was a little faster and managed to avoid the rush but Naruto and Akamaru were not so lucky. Both were pinned by the three brothers. Kiba was not spared as Hana hit him with a medium powered Fang over Fang. Kiba hit the side of the house with a thud and laid there. When Hana came out of her rotation, she looked at her brother with worry.
"Whoops." She said. Naruto looked at her with fear. She was just as scary as her mother.
XXX
Iruka Umino use to like his easy life. He was a chūnin, he was teaching the future ninja of the village and he was feeling good about it. Then he got Naruto in his class and everything just went to hell. He was rude, crass and a prankster. He was a victim of one of them. Still, he saw a lot of good in him. He had the potential to be one of the best. He just wished that he would just take things seriously. Right now, Naruto was staying after class after his latest prank on the teachers.
"Really Naruto, super glue? What were you thinking Naruto?" Iruka asked with a sigh.
"What? You were going on and on about the Rope Escape Jutsu that I thought it would work with super glue. I guess I proved you guys wrong." Naruto joked.
"It isn't funny Naruto!" Iruka exclaimed. He took a breath and faced him. "You know, you were starting to improve in your studies. You and Kiba were improving, making me very happy. However, you are still acting like a child and not like a shinobi." Iruka lectured.
"Okay, I'll admit that it was childish but I was just trying to make things interesting. You have to admit, your lectures are boring. I would pay attention if you made the lessons a little interesting." Naruto argued. Iruka looked ready to shout at him but he held back. He just folded his arms and gave Naruto a serious look.
"Okay Naruto, tell me what you mean by that?" Iruka asked seriously. Naruto was surprised by what Iruka said but he was already in deep. It was time to go all in.
"Okay, I think that if you're going to do history, you should also add historic battles and ask what each of us would have done instead. Let the class talk and discuss. Also, we could do more activities outside of the class. You know, like a mock mission or something. Give the class a taste of what ninja life is all about. I personally think that you'll hold a lot of people's attention if you do." Naruto explained. Iruka listened and he had to admit that Naruto had a point. It wasn't really a big demand that Naruto was making and it did sound like a good idea. Still, he couldn't just let Naruto get his way. He had to earn this little favor.
"Okay Naruto, how about we have a bet?" Iruka said with a grin. Naruto looked at Iruka with a curious expression.
XXX
"So let me get this straight? If you win this bet, Iruka will change the class up and make it interesting. If you lose this bet, you have to spend the rest of the term after school, studying with Iruka. All you have to do is pass the test that is coming up in a week?" Kiba asked Naruto.
"Yeah, that's the bet." Naruto answered him.
"Okay, no offense to you man, but that had to be one of the greatest sucker bets ever. There is no way you will pass that test." Kiba said to him.
"Come on, don't wimp out on me. Do you know what this means? It would mean more interesting classes. You've got to help me study for this test. I know that you take better notes than me." Naruto said.
"Okay, I'll help you study. Let's hit the books." Kiba said. Naruto gave him two thumbs up.
Five minutes later…
"Oh my god, my head hurts." Naruto groaned. Kiba was snoring.
"This is just pathetic. I thought you wanted to have more interesting classes?" Tsume asked.
"But this is so boring." Naruto whined. It earned him a slap to the back of the head. Kiba also got one and was immediately up.
"Stop complaining, focus and study your work." Tsume ordered. There was a groan from both boys as they began to study.
XXX
Iruka and his fellow instructors were grading today's test. He was interested in seeing how Naruto did. He watched him as he took the test and was very impressed that he was not having any trouble. He barely saw him making eraser marks. He was kind of hoping that he passed the test. As he finished one of the test papers, he looked across from him and saw one of his co-workers furiously erasing someone's test. He was curious as to why he was doing that. He could not see who it was because he was way across from him. He did not like the grin on his face. Iruka narrowed his eyes at the man as he was up to no good.
XXX
Today was a weird day for the class. They would have gotten their scores for the test today. However, Iruka told them that the scores were left back at his home. He apologized and promised that the scores would be out tomorrow. As the day ended, Iruka called out to Naruto to stay after school. There were a couple of snickers as everyone else left. Naruto was wondering why he was being kept after class and faced Iruka.
"Naruto, you're going to have to retake the test." Iruka stated.
"What? Why?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Let's just say that for once you have a valid point that the instructors are out to get you." Iruka said. Naruto looked at Iruka with surprise. Iruka believed him about that. "That person who did it no longer works here. Also, I don't want to win this way so you're going to retake the test."
"Okay sensei, I'll retake the test." Naruto said and took a seat. Iruka put the test in front of him and sat down. Naruto took a breath and started to take the test. Iruka sat there and watched him do so. It would take Naruto forty minutes to finish the test and two to go over his answers. Naruto handed the test to Iruka and waited. Iruka began to grade the test while a nervous Naruto stood there. It took Iruka ten minutes to grade the test. He looked at Naruto before showing him his score.
"Seventy, I got a seventy!" Naruto asked loudly and happily.
"I guess that mean you win the bet Naruto." Iruka said with a smile. Naruto jumped into the air and cheered for his victory. Iruka just smiled.
XXX
Iruka sat in the lounge after calming Naruto down and sending him home. While he was happy that Naruto had won the bet, he was a little concerned that he would not be able to deliver. He could go to the Hokage but it might not get passed due to the fact that he might need to inform the council. Still, a deal was a deal and he needed to come through or Naruto might lose respect for him.
"You look like someone who is in a bind." A voice said. Iruka turned and saw someone he instantly knew. It was Ibiki Morino, the commanding officer of the Torture and Interrogation department. He didn't know the man personally but he knew of his reputation.
"Oh, how are you Morino sensei?" Iruka asked.
"No need to be formal. I'm just here to get a drink. You're that academy instructor right? Are those brats giving you're a hard time or something?" Ibiki asked.
"Oh no, it isn't that. A student and I made a bet. He won fair and square so now I must come up with a way to make class a little more interesting." Iruka explained.
"What do you mean by interesting?" Ibiki asked.
"Well, the student said that," Iruka went into what Naruto told the day he made the bet. Ibiki was very surprised that a kid was able to come up with something that was reasonable. He had an opinion about how the academy was run and it was not positive. To hear that a kid highlighted things that he agreed with, made him smile.
"Who was this student that you made the bet with?" Ibiki asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki was the student. Why?" Iruka asked.
"I'll tell you what Iruka; I will help you make the class a little interesting." Ibiki said with a grin. Iruka looked a little worried.
XXX
Two days later, everyone was piled into the class. Iruka and Mizuki started the class by assigning team. Everyone was confused but allowed it to happen. Naruto and Kiba were teamed with the two class slackers, Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi. As everyone got in with their teammates, the room got quiet and the two chūnin instructors looked at the door. In stepped a man who gave off a very intimidating aura. The scars on his face did not really help. The man looked at the class and gave them all a harsh glare.
"I am Ibiki Morino and until lunch, you all belong to me!" Ibiki stated loudly.
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