Chapter 14 – Team Introductions

Naruto was sitting on the roof of a random building. He picked the highest one and it gave him a clear view of the Hokage Monument. His eyes were focused on the Fourth's head and he was in deep thought about what he just learned.

"You know," he finally spoke after a while of looking at the Fourth's head. "I should be pissed at you. You did damn me to be hated by the village. Did you really think that everyone would just listen to you about me? Way to go. Feh, genius my ass."

"Still, I guess you didn't have much of a choice. An Uzumaki has held the fox for years. Also my mom gave you her blessing. I guess she trusted you. Besides, you only did your duty as Hokage. I don't think you did it with any malice in mind, at least I hope not."

"I still want to punch you for it though! Since I can't, I'm going to be greater than you! I'm going to be the Hokage of all Hokages! So watch me Fourth, I'm going to surpass you!" Naruto said and released a very satisfied sigh. He threw his fist out at the Fourth and gave it a very confident grin. Watching from his office, through his crystal ball, Hiruzen smile brightly. He felt a great weight lifted off his chest.

XXX

A few days passed in Konoha. Iruka was with the other instructor and the Hokage. They were assigning teams. They were going well, not many issues. That's until they came to team seven.

"Team seven will consist of Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki." One of the chūnin said. He looked again just to make sure it wasn't wrong.

"Really? Do you think that's a good idea?" asked another instructor.

"The jōnin for this team asked for these three specifically. Is there a problem?" Hiruzen asked.

"Nothing against the jōnin but this team is destined to fail and for once Naruto isn't the cause." Said another instructor. All the instructors nodded in agreement. Hiruzen was confused and looked at the files again. He came to the same conclusion as the instructors. However, a message from Jiraiya, his student, concerned him. With a heavy sigh, Hiruzen faced the group of instructors.

"I understand your reservations about this decision but I am making it any way. Team seven will consist of Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzumaki." He ordered.

"I'm sorry to questioned it sir but can you give us a reason why?" Iruka asked.

"I'm sorry to say that it is a classified matter. I am doing this for a very good reason and I have faith that this team's will to succeed." Hiruzen said. The instructors did not look so convinced but they did not argue any further.

XXX

Kiba, Hinata, Shino, Shikamaru and Choji watched as Naruto banged his head against a tree. Everyone felt for the blond because he was teamed with Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto at first showed his displeasure by causing a ruckus. Naruto even made a good point about the last time that he was teamed with either one of them or both. Iruka was able to calm him down, getting him to forget about pranking people. However, he could not switch the teams, leaving a very angry Naruto.

"You better stop Naruto. You don't want to lose what brain cells you have left." Kiba joked.

"This isn't funny Kiba! It's like the old man wants me to fail! Hell, I'd prefer Ami or Hibachi over these two!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Maybe it won't be so bad." Hinata said. All of the boys looked at her with deadpan looks. Hinata pouted at them. "I'm trying to make you feel better."

"I appreciate it but it just isn't fair. Out of everyone in our class, Sakura and Sasuke failed almost every ninja exercise that was a part of the new academy curriculum. You were with me Hinata when we teamed up with those two. We almost failed because of those two." Naruto explained.

"You're just going to have to deal with it Naruto. It might suck but I'm pretty sure that you can make it work." Shikamaru stated. Naruto scoffed but he calmed down after a while. As he ate, he had one more complaint.

"I bet you that my sensei will favor Sasuke even though Sakura and I need it more." Naruto said.

"Come on, not even the Hokage would do that to you." Kiba said.

XXX

In the Hokage's office, a few jōnin were chuckling at one jōnin. That jōnin was a fit and relatively tall man with spiky silver hair and a dark grey eye, his forehead protector covering his other eye. He had a mask that covered his face. He wore a standard jōnin uniform with fingerless gloves with metal plates. From the look on his face, he did not exactly like the comment Naruto made. Hiruzen gave him a stern look.

"I do hope that you will prove him wrong Kakashi. My decision to form this team for you has already come under fire. Tsume is especially not happy that Sasuke is his teammate or that you are his sensei." The old leader said.

"What is her issue with me?" Kakashi asked.

"Her reasons are personal and they have to do with Kushina. Just do your duty Kakashi and erase all doubts." Hiruzen said.

"I will put their worries to rest sir." The jōnin said. Everyone left the office to get their teams.

XXX

Ino, Shikamaru and Choji stared at the jōnin in front of them. The man was tall, with brown eyes, short, olive skin, black spiky hair and a beard. He wore the standard jōnin with the symbol for 'fire' on his waist. He also wore a pair of black bangles. His arms were wrapped with bandages. He lit a cigarette and took a puff. Ino crinkled her nose in disgust. He faced the group.

"So, why don't we introduce ourselves?" he said.

"Shouldn't you introduce yourselves first?" Ino demanded.

"If it will move this along, my name is Asuma Sarutobi. Yes, I am the son of the Third. My likes are a good smoke, getting to the point and relaxing. I don't like to do things unless it's necessary. My goals are to settle down and enjoy life." Asuma said.

"Wow, how lazy can you get?" Ino muttered.

"Since the 'loudmouth' wishes to speak, how about she goes first?" Asuma said with amusement. Ino growled but said nothing.

"My name is Ino Yamanaka. My likes are clothes, what's new in the village and Sasuke. I don't like that 'forehead' Sakura or when people don't do what I say. My goal is to be the most beautiful kunoichi and win Sasuke with my charm." She boasted.

"Well, that was… enlightening." Asuma mocked. Ino glared at him. "So, let's hear from the 'glutton'."

"Oh, well, my name is Choji Akimichi. I like to cook and I like to eat. I also like my staff training. I don't like being called 'fat', wasting food of giving up the last bite. My goal is to succeed my father as clan head and cook a new tasty dish." He said.

"That's not a bad goal and I've heard of your cooking. I look forward to that day." Asuma said. "Last but not least, let's hear from the 'slacker'."

"Shikamaru Nara. I like shogi, clouds and doing nothing. I don't like troublesome things, troublesome people and troublesome actions. My goal is to be a ninja, retire, get married and have two kids, one boy, one girl." He said with a laid back tone.

"I think you and I are going to get along fine. Well, I'm glad to know you all. Let's hope that we get to know each other more after your test." Asuma said with some amusement. It only made him smile when he saw their faces.

XXX

Outside, near the swing, Kiba, Akamaru, Shino and Hinata sat in front of the woman that was their sensei. She was a fair-skinned woman of slender build. Her hair was long, black and untamed. Her red eyes matched with her red lipstick and purple eye shadow. She wore a red mesh armor blouse with only the right sleeve visible. Her hands and upper thighs were wrapped in bandages.

"I'm glad that we can meet. Before we can begin, I think that we should introduce ourselves. My name is Kurenai Yūhi and I am a new jōnin. I like a good drink, genjutsu and my friends. I dislike sweet things, cigarette smoke and perverts. My goal is to help you all reach your potential and learn new things. Now, how about you start Hinata since we know each other." She said.

"Okay. I am Hinata Hyūga and I'm a new genin. I like flower pressing, cinnamon buns, my sister and my friends. I dislike the Hyūga curse seal. My goal is to become stronger so that I might change the Hyūga clan to make it one whole clan. I also hope to gain the attention of someone in the future."

"Very good Hinata, I hope to help you with your goals. Now, how about you Kiba?" Kurenai asked.

"Okay sensei! The name is Kiba Inuzuka and this is my buddy Akamaru." The puppy barked and waved at Kurenai. "I like to train, fight and taking jogs. I don't like cats or that squirrel that messes with us or stuck-up people. My goal is to be the fastest and to be a hunter-nin."

"That's quite a goal. Last but not least, let's hear from Shino."

"My name is Shino Aburame. I like solitude, finding new species of insects and I recently enjoy a game of shogi. I dislike noise and the murder of insects. I don't have any main goals but I do wish to categorize every species I come in contact with."

"Very good, I like our team. However, there is one more test to take." Kurenai said.

"What?" exclaimed Kiba. Kurenai just smiled.

XXX

Naruto's day just kept getting worst. Not only was he teamed with Sasuke and Sakura, his sensei was an hour late. He had to listen to Sakura swoon over Sasuke. To pass the time, he rigged the doorways and hallways with seals. When their sensei arrived, they knew due to the massive explosions. The man was covered in dye, glue and feathers.

They were now on the roof. The man looked at his team while trying to clean himself. His attention turned to Naruto.

"Am I to assume that this was a warning?" he asked.

"I don't know. Are you going to be late again?" Naruto asked.

"Anyway, how about we introduce ourselves?"

"How do we do that sensei?" Sakura asked.

"It's very easy. My name is Kakashi Hatake. I have some likes and some dislikes. My dreams are none of your business. I have goals." The three looked at him with some annoyance. "Well then, how about we start with you?" pointed at Naruto.

"The name is Naruto Uzumaki. My likes are the Inuzuka clan, my friends, sealing, ramen and pranks. I don't like the time it takes ramen to be done, spoiled people, stuck-up people and fan-girls. My dream is to become Hokage and maybe find members of the Uzumaki." Naruto said.

"There is no Uzumaki clan. Stop making things up!" Sakura shouted.

"Actually, the Uzumaki clan were friends of Konoha. They were also the cousins of the Senju clan, one of the founders of Konoha. They had their own village and country. They were also very dangerous. Even with the combined strength of Kumo and Kiri, the Uzumaki were able to take out seventy percent of their forces before escaping. To honor them, we wear their symbol on our vest." Kakashi explained. Sakura quietly shut her mouth while getting a smug grin from Naruto. Sasuke gave Naruto a brief look before returning his attention to Kakashi.

"Anyway, let's continue. How about you pinky?" Sakura glared at him.

"My name is Sakura Haruno. I like…" she blushed at Sasuke. "My dreams…" he cheeks were getting redder. "My goals…" she squealed as she thought about it. Naruto was over the railing, retching. Sakura glared at him. "The thing I hate is Naruto and Ino-pig!"

"Oh my god, the burden." Naruto said sarcastically. Sakura glared at him for his dismissal.

"Anyway, now onto our resident brooder." Kakashi said. Sasuke glared at him.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't have many likes or dislikes. I have only one ambition. I will kill the man that slaughtered my clan. After that, I will rebuild my clan." He said.

'He's so cool!'

'Wow, he's got issues'

'I thought so.' "Well, now that we know each other, we will start our missions tomorrow. It's kind of like a survival mission." Kakashi explained.

"You mean like the ones we did in class?" Sakura asked.

"Something like that." Kakashi said with an eye smile. The three looked at him nervously.

XXX

"Man, I didn't know that there was another test. Talk about a curve." Kiba said.

"We'll beat this test just like we did in class." Naruto boasted.

"I'm glad that you're confident. This is going to be a total drag." Shikamaru bemoaned.

"Well, all we can do is do our best and stay positive." Choji said. The others nodded and continued to eat their ramen.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes – Here's the new chapter. I changed a few things from the original chapter if you remembered the previous one. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.