Authors Note
Firstly I've gotta apologize for any of the spelling and grammar mistakes in previous chapters. I haven't gone over the chapters properly because I rush my writing.
I've gotta admit, writing this story is getting harder. I've basically been making it up as I go along. Despite the chapters in this fic only being half as long as my crossover story, that one just seems to flow better. Now I don't want any of you to worry.
The pace of this fic and the weekly updates won't change though. That being said, hope you guys keep reading.
Our first month as a team, all things considered, went by remarkably fast. Each one of them were able to complete the tasks I set for them.
Naruto, true to form mastered both jutsu, thanks to liberal use of the shadow clone jutsu. I therefore, in the final week of the month, got him started on channeling wind chakra through his kunai and shuriken.
To increase both their range and cutting power. Fortunately, Naruto had some practice doing this with his claws.
To be honest, thinking back on it, I'm not really impressed with Asuma and his chakra knives from canon. I recalled the fight with Kisame and all he was able to do is make a small cut in his face.
Danzo however, in his fight with Sasuke, showed true mastery of wind. Unfortunately, he's not an option when it comes to Naruto's training or near my brother in general.
Yakumo on the other hand was able to complete the initial stage of nature transformation. Therefore I started her on learning the phoenix flower jutsu. With shuriken though.
Neji however is where the true surprise was. I know he's a prodigy, but that title with regards to him, I always took with a grain of salt. I took it to mean a prodigy in the Gentle Fist.
That and in comparison to his age mates. Certainly not a prodigy the likes of Orochimaru, Itachi or Kakashi was. He completely threw out my preconceptions about him.
I don't know why, but he's shaping up to be far more capable than he was in canon. I have an inkling that it has to do with our talks.
Don't get me wrong, him being stronger was always my intention. But I always thought that Naruto's clones would give him the edge over any teammates that he has.
I've taught him how to utilise his clones properly, I've diversified his skills, taught him to think before he acts. I've come to realise though, that for all my changes, my brother is no genius or prodigy.
Neji however is. He has drive. Real drive. A tangible goal. He knows deep inside that despite his hatred of them, there's nothing he could have done to the Main Family of the Hyuuga.
He can however, stick it to the Hidden Cloud Village. By learning the Lightning Armour technique. He has come further than I imagined.
In just a month, he has learnt to expell lightning natured chakra through all of his chakra points. It's amazing. I've had him focus now on building up his body.
Thankfully, that's where Guy sensei and Lee come in handy. I have an inkling that Lee will be stronger than his canon version as well.
After Neji thrashes Lee, he moves on the fight Guy. Despite standing no chance, he tries every day. I've explained to Neji that Guy sensei is a better opponent and teacher than I am to build the endurance and durability that he'll need.
On the first day of the new month, as we're in the training ground, I explain to them that our schedule will change slightly from now on. For the next two months, we'll only do team training until lunch.
After we've had our lunch, then we'd head on over to the Hokage Tower to be assigned missions. Surprisingly none of them are eager.
When prompted, Yakumo says that they'd rather train for most of the day. I just laugh. I make two clones and send one with Naruto and one with Yakumo.
As Neji turns towards me expectantly, I unseal a scroll. In a puff of smoke, a dozen books appear. He looks confused so I explain.
" As you know, I told you that before we work further on the jutsu, you must build your body up. The thing is though, it won't be enough. "
" You've seen Guy sensei's body. As strong as he is, not even he would be able to utilise the jutsu like the Raikages do. That's because the jutsu wears the body down. "
" The Raikage and his father have special durable bodies. The previous Raikage was known to fight the Eight Tailed Beast on a regular basis whenever it escaped confinement. "
" Obviously we cannot make your body as durable as theirs is. What we can do however, is put your good chakra control to use, by you learning medical jutsu. "
" Now hear me out, I'm not saying you must become a medical ninja, however you will need the skill. I intend for you eventually, to be able to direct healing chakra through each of your chakra points, with the same ease as you do lighting natured chakra. "
" That way, you can instantaneously heal yourself from any injury. Naturally, to utilise just the Lightning Armour technique will require massive amounts of chakra, that's not even counting the chakra you'd need to heal yourself. "
" That's why I'm working on a seal where you can store your chakra in, for when you need it. I'd advise adding chakra at night, before you go sleep, but only when you're inside the village. "
" That is months away however. I will only apply the seal, once you've learnt the bread and butter technique of the Medical Corp. The Mystic Palm jutsu. So now you know the plan. Begin reading. "
There were a couple of times, as I was speaking, that I thought he'd interrupt me. However the more I spoke, the greater the clarity he had.
By the time I finished and told him what to do, he didn't question me. He just gave me a small smile. A genuine one. As he started reading, butterflies flew in my stomach. Oh dear...
Clone 1 and Yakumo
Yakumo has been progressing well. I have spoken to Unkai and he tells me that she is now just as skilled in genjutsu, as the Chunin members of her clan.
That's remarkable, especially when you consider that unlike her two teammates, she had no real prior instruction. I've thought about it long and hard and decided I'll wait until she reaches Chunin, to unseal her Ido.
It's strange and unsettling. The fact that her kekkei genkai has gained sentience. I've theorised that it's not unlike the dark halves of ourselves.
I'm speaking of course, about when Naruto had to face the darkness within himself, in order to eventually face off with Kurama.
Whether it requires the same solution is unclear. I'm not sure how to help her either. I doubt even the Yamanaka can help her. The Ido is likely to attack whoever enters her mind.
Fortunately Unkai agrees with me on all points. It's far too dangerous to tamper with the seal now, and risk all the progress that we've made with her becoming undone.
I've decided to work on the second jutsu with Yakumo. The fireball jutsu. Honestly, I've always thought of the jutsu as an impractical waste, but, it will prove useful as part of a collaboration jutsu with Naruto.
We've reached the stream. " Okay Yakumo, now we'll move on to another fire jutsu to add to your repertoire. It's actually the signature jutsu of the Uchiha clan. "
" It's called the fireball jutsu. To do it, you build up fire natured chakra in your chest, then release. It must be released in a vaguely spherical form. Its basic shape manipulation. "
" Fortunately, you have some experience in this, with the phoenix flower jutsu. Generally people learn this jutsu first but with you I've done things in reverse. "
" Watch my handsigns carefully. " That's when I demonstrate them to her and then I meditate while she practices molding her chakra.
Clone 2 and Naruto
I've decided to continue on with Naruto's wind manipulation. He can channel his wind natured chakra through weapons, but his control is still lacking.
Its why I have him doing water walking daily with about a dozen clones. I shouldn't say walking though. I make them run across the surface of the water, while they're simultaneously doing the leaf sticking exercise.
Surprisingly its actually helping him. I do similar exercises but on a more intense scale everyday. I do have more chakra than he does afterall. I'm fortunate then that my fighting style doesn't involve any kind of subtlety.
Once we've moved away from the others,
I let him create six clones and let them start practicing with channeling wind through shuriken.
" Naruto, I've actually decided to start teaching you about your second element. As usual though, control is where we'll start first. "
That being said, I run through a couple of handsigns, Earth Style Mobile Core, with that, a depression starts forming in the ground before me. I stop when it's roughly as wide as a five adults standing side by side.
Then, Water Style Water Trumpet and I fill the depression with water. Water that carries traces of my chakra. Just to make his next task more difficult.
" Ok Naruto, we'll now begin the initial stage of nature transformation for water. What you have to do saturate the water with your chakra and then create globes with the water. "
" This water I created with my chakra, so it will still contain trace amounts of it inside. That makes your job harder. The payoff however is that your control will be better. "
I ask if he has any questions and he shakes his head. So I let him begin. While he does, I keep a close eye on his chakra expenditure with my senses.
Normal POV
When the bell I set for lunchtime rings, my clones dispell. Then Yakumo and Naruto appear. The four of us then enjoy a quiet lunch.
When that's finished, we head on over to the Hokage Tower. They appear slightly more interested now then they were before, but knowing what awaits them I doubt it will last.
As we enter the missions office the Hokage himself is sitting there. My Genin look surprised. I'm not. The Third likes getting to know each new batch of shinobi so he's generally around when newly graduated Genin are assigned missions.
He looks amused when we enter. The Chunin with him appear surprised. " So Team 7 finally decides to grace us with their presence. "
I laugh slightly then. " I'm not training a squad of average shinobi Lord Hokage. I felt their time would be better served working on their fighting skills. "
" They have not disapointed me. But do not take my word for it. The entire village will see the fruits of their labour in a few months time. "
The Hokage's eyes sharpen and the Chunin scrutinize my team carefully. To their credit, they give nothing away, not even my brother.
After a moment the Hokage clears his throat. " Very well then, I assume your team is here to do your very first D ranked mission. Here are the options. "
I tune him out slightly then and watch the expressions on the faces of my team. They don't dissapoint. Naruto looks outraged while Neji's expression held disdain.
Yakumo was a mix between the two. That's when they look towards me and see my smirk. They huff, annoyed. I look even more amused however.
" Lord Hokage, I think we'll accept the catch Tora mission. It will teach them a valuable lesson in tracking. I won't allow Neji to use his Byakugan for the duration either. "
The Hokage and the Chunin, to the clear surprise of my team laugh. I lead them out of the Tower. A satisfied expression on my face.
As we exit, I remove the radios a clone of mine fetched. I passed them along to the three of them.
" Alright now listen up, as I've said already, Neji won't be able to use his Byakugan for this mission. It's an unnecessary crutch at this point in time. "
" You will put on these radios so that we can stay in contact. You guys will split up and search for Tora. You've seen her picture. "
" I will warn you however. She's no ordinary cat. Don't underestimate her. You will regret it, trust me. Now split up and find her. "
They look annoyed. They don't protest though. As soon as they're out of sight, a smirk forms on my face again. I'm going to enjoy this.
Two hours later, they return to the Hokage Tower, cat in tow. On closer inspection it appears to sleeping. I look closely at them.
Neji's pristine hair is messed up. There's a scratch on his face. Yakumo looks much the same, except it's her arms that are scratched.
It's my brother that appears to have born the brunt of Tora's wrath. There appears to be faint marks on his arms, but mostly on his face.
No doubt, his accelerated healing kicked in. It does nothing to hide the blood on him though. Luckily he doesn't wear his haori to training.
They all looked pissed off. I hide my amusement though. No point in riling them up any further. " Any problems? " I ask them. I get three glares in return. I bite my lip.
I turn away before they see my amusement. I miss Neji's blush as I do so though. Yakumo and Naruto don't see it either.
We then head up to the missions office and there we meet Tora's owner. Madam Shijimi. As soon as she squeezes Tora, the genjutsu breaks.
I felt the faint disturbance in her chakra. My team looks disturbed at the whole scene. Not long after, the cat breaks free and her owner starts wailing.
I can see Naruto's eye twitch. I collect our proof of mission completed slip from a Chunin and then my team and I depart. Once we leave the office they immediately start complaining. That's when I laugh.
We then return to our training ground to await Guy sensei and Lee. While we wait, I make the three of them team up and fight me.
Naruto creates six clones to rush me while he and the others hide. I wait till the clones close the distance, then I do a partial handstand while kicking out. I expel a wave of fire from my foot and all the clones are dispelled.
I then stand up and go through a couple of handsigns and then mentally say Water Style Severing Wave. A massive jet of sharply pressurised water leaves my mouth as I spin.
I hear curses as dozens of trees in a perfect circle around me are cut down. I don't let up though. Next is Fire Style Phoenix Flower Jutsu.
I pepper the fallen trees with small fireballs and after a moment they're all burning. I feel my chakra is agitated and then my eyes widen.
Genjutsu! I immediately dispel it and that's when I see a wave of wind hit the fires burning the trees. I go through lightning fast handsigns
Water Style Water Wall. Just in time as a large conflagration heads my way. My jutsu holds though and soon a mist is hanging over the clearing.
I spin around and am confronted by my brother and Neji. Both closing in fast. Fire forms on both of my fists and I close the distance between us and swing before they can react.
Neji winces and disengages. Naruto however pops. I don't hesitate. I take in a gulp of air and spin around, spitting out a globe of water the size of an apple, but with the force of a horse kick.
It hits my brother and he goes flying. I flex my hand and a water whip forms which is overpowered with my chakra. It enables me to cut right through the small fireballs Yakumo sent my way, as well as knocking the shuriken inside them away.
My other hand moves fast and releases two kunai with ninja wire between them, which ensnared Yakumo to a tree. That's when the seals on the kunai activate and lightning chakra courses through her body, stunning her.
In that time, both Neji and Naruto closed the distance again. That's when I channel and condense fire natured chakra in my legs and jump up. Staying in the air.
" Alright, that's enough. You have ten minutes to cool down then Guy and Lee will be here. Nice job though. In a hundred years you might be able to beat me. "
Three glares are sent my way. I laugh. I love messing with them.