IMPORTANT

I just want to apologize to everyone for not updating in forever. To be honest I almost gave up on it but I'm back. I'm really sorry and don't have an excuse but I hope you like this chapter. Also just wanted to make something clear that I was thinking about. Naruto is god-like in swordsmanship but not jutsu. He's not as strong as Itachi like I made it seem last chapter, he's just better with a sword. A lot better. Anyway here it is.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS

Naruto sat in the back of the class with his eyes closed. Currently he was going over his fight with Itachi the night before. Neither he nor Itachi were going all out but he doubted he could take Itachi on anyway considering the fact that Itachi only used one jutsu. Naruto smiled. One thing did upset Naruto though and that was the fact that Itachi tried to use a sword to beat him. Now Itachi couldn't possibly know about his prowess with a blade but it still felt somewhat insulted and irked him slightly.

He was drawn from his thoughts by the sound of all of the former academy students entering the classroom, excited about team placement and not shutting up about how awesome it would be when they finally got to show off their moves to strong enemies. It annoyed Naruto immensely that these children had such a naive mindset about the life of a ninja. Once again, Naruto thanked Kami that he had been taught by Sera otherwise he may have ended up just like these idiots spouting up nonsense about their strength and how great they would be.

Once again, Naruto was drawn from his thoughts as he felt the eyes of someone staring at him. Lazily looking around, he found the culprit to be Sasuke Uchiha, little brother of Itachi Uchiha.

(Sasuke POV)

Sasuke stared at Naruto and was brought back to what happened last night when his brother arrived home.

(Flashback)

Sasuke was in the backyard practicing his fireball jutsu when he sensed someone watching him. Turning around, he was met with the form of his older brother Itachi. He smiled at seeing his brother but Itachi continued to stare looking lost in his thoughts.

"Hey Itachi, you okay?" he asked.

Itachi shook his head and walked up to Sasuke before looking down at him.

After a minute of staring, Itachi spoke. "Sasuke, there is something I need to tell you in regards to the boy named Naruto. You have seen him in a taijutsu match against Menma Namikaze but that is it. Am I correct?" Itachi asked.

Sasuke simply nodded and Itachi sighed.

Once again Itachi gained a thoughtful look on his face before speaking. "Naruto is strong. Stronger than you, stronger than your class, and stronger than the class previous. He is a legend in the making so I want you to examine him, learn from him, emulate him. It will only make you stronger in the long run for I believe that soon, the boy may be stronger than all of us" Itachi finished before walking back inside and leaving Sasuke to think about his words.

(Flashback End)

Sasuke just looked at the boy that his brother had told him about until Naruto met his stare causing him to turn away. Not long after, Iruka entered to announce the teams.

Iruka gave a short speech congratulating the new genin before announcing the first team.

(Normal POV)

"Team 7 will be Menma Uzumaki-Namikaze, Narumi Uzumaki-Namikaze, and Sakura Haruno under Kushina Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake. Team 8 will be Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzaka, and Shino Aburame under Kurenai Yuuhi. Team 9 is still in circulation so on to Team 10. Team 10 will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi under Asuma Sarutobi. And finally Team 11 will be Sasuke Uchiha, Yakumo Kurama, and Naruto under Itachi Uchiha. Now everyone wait here for your senseis and once again, I am very proud of all of you" he finished.

After Iruka left, Naruto looked around the classroom for his other teammate but couldn't find her mostly because he didn't know the names of the majority of the class. Before he could think on it anymore, a dark figure entered the classroom. Itachi Uchiha had arrived.

"Team 11 meet at training ground 11" he said before shunshining away in a flock of crows.

Naruto watched as Sasuke rose and noticed a frail looking girl in the opposite corner of the room stand as well. Sasuke approached him and the girl followed.

Sasuke stopped in front of him. "I know where training ground 11 is so you two can follow me" he said observing Naruto and ignoring Yakumo.

Naruto looked at Yakumo and nodded. "Lead the way and we will follow" he said and the three took off.

(Training Ground 11)

Itachi sat on a wooden stump thinking about his team. He knew everything about his brother in terms of skill and personality, Yakumo was shy and had a weak body but was said to be a genjutsu prodigy with the ability to make her illusions real, and then there was Naruto. Even though he had the least information on him, Itachi could already tell from their spar that he was the strongest genin on the team. He was interrupted from his thoughts as the three genin that had been on his mind arrived in front of him. Itachi looked blankly at the group before speaking.

"Sit down and introduce yourselves" Itachi said motioning to the ground.

The three said nothing before Itachi pointed at Sasuke to speak and received a nod.

"I am Sasuke Uchiha, I like training and my family. I dislike fangirls and the weak. My goal is to bring honor to the Uchiha clan" he said before looking back at Itachi who nodded and pointed to Yakumo without a word. Yakumo rubbed her arm before speaking quietly. "My name is Yakumo Kurama and I like my family and genjutsu. I dislike perverts and rapists" she said in a tone that seemed very out of character for the seemingly shy girl. "My goal is to become the best genjutsu master ever" she finished with determination in her eyes which proved to Itachi that she would be willing to work hard to achieve her goal. Once again Itach nodded.

Itachi then turned to the final team member who was resting his head on his chin looking right at him. "Naruto, your turn" Itachi said wanting as much information on his genin as possible. Naruto contemplated what to say for a moment before speaking. "My name is Naruto. I like my sword, training, and the moon. I dislike the arrogant and those who can't back up what they say. My goal is unimportant" Naruto finished surprising Itachi that the boy had chosen to reveal that much considering the fact that Naruto didn't seem like the sharing type.

Sasuke looked over Naruto before responding to his answer. "I don't see a sword with you" he pointed out.

Naruto looked at him but never replied.

After thinking about each of his team's responses, he stood up to speak. "Most of the genin teams are taking a test to determine whether or not they deserve to be genin based on teamwork. The fact that you came to the training ground as one unit is enough to assure me that the three of you will work together. But I do want to test your combat abilities so all three of you are to attack me so that I may understand each of your abilities" he finished before crossing his arms looking bored but keeping an eye on Naruto who also had his arms crossed.

Sasuke took offense to the fact that his brother seemed to be underestimating him so blatantly so he rushed forward and launched a kick at Itachi's head which was blocked by Itachi simply raising his arm. The effortless block just served to infuriate Sasuke further as he got up launching shuriken at Itachi and preparing his fireball jutsu.

Itachi sighed and shook his head. His little brother, ever the one to fall victim to his emotions. He took out a kunai and simply swiped through the shuriken. By the time he had blocked them, Sasuke's fireball was launched and coming after him. He lazily replace himself with a log and appeared in front of Sasuke who was lightly panting. With one punch, he sent Sasuke flying into the forest. Itachi looked back to Naruto's position only to find no one there. Once again, Itachi sighed but figured his team would come after him again soon.

Sasuke was rubbing his cheek where he had been punched surrounded by Naruto and Yakumo.

Naruto took the opportunity of Sasuke being silent to speak. "Listen, none of us are a match for Itachi but together we may be a slight challenge. Here is what we are going to do. I will go out and challenge Itachi and while we fight, Yakumo will cast a genjutsu" Naruto was interrupted before he could say more by Yakumo of all people. "Um Naruto, I'm nowhere near Itachi's level of genjutsu. Anything I try and cast would be dispelled by him before it take effect" she said.

Naruto shook his head. "Normally that would be true, but he won't be paying enough attention to know when the genjutsu starts, and by the time it does, it will be too late. Make a genjutsu that will keep him still. When he dispels the genjutsu, I will be there to hold him in place. That is when you Sasuke will come from the forest to force him to surrender by putting a kunai to his neck. Itachi gives up, we win, and it's over. Got it?" he asked getting confident nods from his teammates. Naruto smirked. Maybe this team could actually work.

Itachi was standing and waiting for his next opponent when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he was met with the sight of Naruto walking towards him. Itachi immediately prepared himself knowing that this was perhaps the only genin that could require most of his attention.

"I see you came alone. Are you looking to finish what was started last time?" Itachi said with a smirk.

Naruto rolled his neck with a pop sound as a result. Without a word, Naruto dashed forward with the speed of at least high-chuunin aiming to punch Itachi in the face. Itachi jumped back but Naruto unexpectedly flipped after missing and brought his foot down on Itachi's shoulder knocking him back.

As Itachi was knocked back he could already feel the bruise forming on his shoulder. Itachi knew that Naruto was skilled with taijutsu so he started to think around it. He could fight Naruto with his sword but something told him that his chances of death were higher than not, he could fight him with taijutsu, but there would be some explaining to do if he showed up in the Hokage's office later with multiple bruises even if he wasn't trying. So that left him with ninjutsu. He had only seen Naruto use the shadow clone jutsu so it might be best to make this into a ninjutsu battle. Itachi quickly did the signs and quietly said "Great Fireball jutsu" launching a very large fireball at his student.

Naruto clenched his teeth but knew this was the risk of trying to make Itachi resort to using ninjutsu only. Naruto stretched his arm and as it did the night before, his massive sword appeared in his hand. Deciding to show Itachi something he hadn't shown him previously, he pushed chakra into and around his sword. Raising his arm, he swiped down powerful enough to push his blade into the ground towards the incoming fireball. A chakra wave formed from his sword and flew, splitting the fireball. But the wave continued and was now nearing Itachi. Itachi was able to jump away at the last second but watched the result of the wave. Once the wave hit the trees, it was as if hundreds of sword slashes were attacking the trees at once. Before Itachi could overcome his shock, he felt something grabbing him. Looking down, he was surprised to see many thick vines overcoming him and holding him. Just as it was about to completely overcome him, he sensed that it was a genjutsu and dispelled it. Once he did, he was met with the sight of his brother holding a kunai to his throat daring him to move. Itachi smirked and simply said "I surrender".

Sasuke removed his kunai, Yakumo came out of her hiding space, and Naruto joined the team from his spot.

Itachi spent the next two minutes examining his team and analyzing their strategy. It was a very sound plan with even better execution. He could tell already that this team would go far. Though his brother had been a bit disappointing, he was still involved in the outcome and would only get better. Yakumo's timing and strength of her genjutsu were practically flawless, and Naruto's ability to make Itachi lose focus of his teammates was very inspiring. Yes, this team would go far.

"We're done for today, go home and rest. We meet tomorrow at six in the morning and don't be late" he said with a small smile leaving to go to the Hokage's office. Had he turned around, he would have seen the sight of his three genin wide eyed and open mouthed. After Itachi had left, the three simultaneously shouted "SIX!".

After the shock of training time wore off, Sasuke and Naruto started to go their separate ways before being stopped by a quiet voice saying "Wait".

The two turned around to see Yakumo rubbing her arm. "Um I was hoping that we could all go out and get something to eat and get to know each other since we are on a team together" she said expectantly and hoping they said yes.

Sasuke shook his head. "I have to go train and get stronger. Maybe you should as well instead of worrying about socializing" he said before leaving. Yakumo quickly developed a dissapointed and hurt look before looking at Naruto. Naruto was quiet for a moment before nodding. "That sounds good. I noticed a restaurant on the way here, Yakiniku Q I believe it was called" he responded. Yakumo smiled and nodded. The two took off to Yakiniku Q while their ever polite teammate returned home to train.

All jounin senseis were gathered in the Hokage's office waiting to give their reports. Minato entered the office and sat at his desk followed by the current elders of the village, Jiraiya and Tsunade. "Okay so the team tests were today, please give me the results everyone" he said as each jounin stepped forward to give their report on their team.

"Team 1 Fail"

"Team 2 Fail"

"Team 3 Fail"

"Team 4 Fail"

"Team 5 Fail"

"Team 6 Fail"

Kakashi stepped forward. "Team 7 Pass. Menma and Narumi performed well except for that they were easily goaded into a fight and too often let their emotions cloud their decision making. The Haruno girl is a bit of a problem as well but I believe that we can train her and make her useful" finished Kakashi with Kushina nodding behind him. Minato sighed. He knew that his children would pass but they did let their emotions override their judgement, a trait they undoubtedly got from their mother. The Sanin behind him chuckled as did a few jounin. Minato nodded and motioned to Kurenai.

Kurenai stepped forward to report. "Team 8 Pass. Hinata has potential in Gentle Fist but too hesitant whereas Kiba is too impulsive but Shino is very intellectual and was able to get his teammates to follow his plan of draining me of my chakra then Kiba and Hinata alternated in their clan styles against me" she said.

Asuma took a puff of his cigarette before being elbowed in the gut by Kurenai. "Team 10 Pass. Ino commanded Shikamaru and Choji to get me in place for her to use her Mind Transfer jutsu to beat me" he finished and then stepped back.

Minato didn't know what to expect when Itachi stepped forward. He hoped the team passed for the sake of his son as did Kushina who was nervously looking at Itachi. The jounin in the room however were sure that the team assigned to Itachi Uchiha had failed, despite his brother being on the team.

"Team 11 Pass" he said causing whispers to start among the other jounin. Minato quickly got tired of the whispers and said loudly "Quiet" before motioning to Itachi to continue.

Itachi took a deep breath. "What I say may not be easy to understand but please let me finish before questions are asked" he said getting a nod in response from Minato. "Team 11 has greater potential than that of the Sannin" he said which immediately gathered shouts from the other jounin, narrowed eyes from the Sannin, and wide eyed responses from Minato and Kushina. This time Minato had to shout "QUIET" to get everyone to settle down. "Please continue Itachi" he said. Itachi simply nodded.

"Before I explain what happened for me to come to this realization I will tell you of my students. Sasuke is strong for a genin but needs training and perhaps a new mindset. Yakumo is a genjutsu prodigy with potential surpassing that of my own in the field" he said getting wide eyed shocked responses from every jounin in the room but none as shocked as Kurenai.

Minato was shocked at how much praise Itachi was giving before realizing he had not heard about his own son yet. "And Naruto?" he asked getting the attention of everyone in the room especially the Sannin who wanted to know how strong the boy was. The boy who they were supposed to have a relationship with but instead never even acknowledged him.

Itachi sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time today. "Naruto is the strongest genin and perhaps the strongest chunin in Konoha" he said getting the most shocked reactions that he had gotten all day. "And that is just during the day. At night, I'm unsure exactly how strong he is but his power is immense, perhaps as strong as I am with my sharingan activated" he finished expecting the questions to flood like water breaking a dam.

Minato spoke first. "How do you know he is strong at night Itachi?" he asked curiously. Itachi looked at the Hokage ignoring everyone who were still trying to fathom what he was saying. "After the graduation exam, I tailed him. It was relatively late and he sensed me. We had a short conversation before he challenged me and summoned a giant sword almost as tall as him and just as wide as his body. Before he attacked, he made a suspicious comment about how beautiful the moon looked and then attacked. We fought and it ended with me finding out that I was fighting a clone the whole time. But more surprising, he was toying with me while using his sword. I launched a fireball at him and he simply cut through it. He is very strong during the day especially with that sword of his, but at night, he's almost unstoppable" Itachi reminisced.

Kushina spoke next. "You keep saying he has a sword but I've never seen him with it. Also how good is he? Is there any room for improvement?" she asked hoping for another way to bond with her son as she was a sword master herself.

Itachi chuckled which soon turned into a full blown laugh leaving a few wondering if he had gone off the deep end. "I don't know how but he just holds his arm out and the sword appears into existence. And as for needing improvement, I think he's perfectly fine in the area of swordsmanship".

Minato then decided to wrap everything up. "How did your team pass Itachi?" he asked getting back to the point.

Itachi nodded. "Naruto kept me focused on him and when I used my Giant Fireball but he summoned his sword and cut it in half but a chakra wave from the sword kept going barely missing me. The chakra wave hit a tree and when it hit, it was like hundreds of strikes at once. While I was focused on Naruto's attack, Yakumo was able to cast a genjutsu in which vines attempted to smother me. When I dispelled it, Sasuke had his kunai to my throat so I surrendered. They work well together and are powerful in their own right" he finished.

Minato took a deep breath before thanking everyone and letting them leave. Kushina, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade stayed behind.

"What do you all think?" Minato asked. Everyone was silent before Tsunade spoke. "We fucked up".

(Yakiniku Q)

Naruto and Yakumo sat next to each other enjoying their meal. Yakumo then turned to Naruto.

"So you left the village and learned how to use that sword I saw?" Yakumo asked for the third time since arriving at the restaurant. Naruto simply nodded.

"What was it like outside of Konoha?" she asked. Naruto swallowed the food in his mouth before responding. "Well, I mostly stayed in the forest but it was nice".

Naruto then asked a question that had been slightly bugging him. "I'm curious why you didn't invite any of your friends, I'm not the most fun person to hang out with".

Yakumo's smile turned into a sad frown and she looked down. Naruto gave her time before she responded. "I don't have any friends. When I was younger, there was something wrong with me. My personality had split to form a creature called Ido. I'm fine now but everyone still walks on eggshells around me even my own family" she said and tears began to fall. Suddenly, something unexpected happened. A hand grabbed and held hers. She looked up to see Naruto looking at her with genuine worry and care. It made her heart flutter.

After staring into Yakumo's eyes, Naruto spoke. "You don't have to worry about that anymore. The past is the past and if no one wants to hang out with you now then fuck em. If people call you weak, destroy them. If no one believes in you, make them believe in you. And always remember if you feel alone, you've always got me" he said with a smile. Yakumo teared up and hugged him tight. She felt at peace when she felt him hug back.

Author's Note:

Once again so sorry I took so long and I'll try to make it up to you all.

I know that Sasuke seemed unimportant and useless but he gets stronger. As for Naruto being really affectionate and deep towards Yakumo, keep in mind that both have had very little attention and affection given to them in their lives. Naruto sees Yakumo as kind of like he was before he met Sera. Anyway any other questions just put it in the review section and I'll try to answer it. PLEASE REVIEW!