Chapter 6

Graduation

Minato had a problem, he had three students about to graduate. Keeping them in the Academy any longer would be a waste of their potential if the reports were to be believed, they were ready to be bestowed with the rank of Genin. The problem lay in that he couldn't find a Jōnin to become their Sensei.

Kakashi had been his first choice, but for some reason he wasn't interested, something which surprised Minato given the interest he had shown in training Rezano. His next choice had been Maito Gai since the four seemed to know each other, but he also ruled himself out. The Taijutsu master felt he was not yet ready for a Genin team. He'd personally asked several others, but they too had politely turned it down.

The solution to finding a Jōnin instructor continued to elude him as he heard a knock at the door. "Enter," he said not looking up from the sheets of paper laid out on his desk. "Hokage-sama," a female voice spoke. Looking up he found Mikoto Uchiha, wife of the Uchiha clan leader Fugaku standing in front of him. "Mikoto-san, what can I do for you?" Minato said leaning back in his chair stretching his arms.

She lifted the stack of papers in her hands, "These are for you to review Hokage-sama." Minato's face fell when he realised it was more paperwork, "Thank you Mikoto-san, you can just put them on top of the pile." He replied pointing to the edge of his desk. Looking to her left, her eyes fell on multiple stacks of papers. "Any pile in particular?" a hint of sympathy in her voice. "Take your pick," he sighed as he looked back down at the papers on his desk, adding another one to the stack to his left.

"Something eating at you Minato?"

"I'm trying to find someone to be the Jōnin Sensei for our sons. Their graduation is around the corner and I still can't find one." The frustration evident in his voice. Mikoto stepped around the desk to get a view of the papers strewn everywhere. "The ones in the pile are the those I've disregarded or have already turned it down, Everything else is who's left," Minato explained.

Mikoto spent several minutes looking through all those already in the pile and then at those on the desk. Then a name jumped out at her, it wasn't in the pile or on the desk. "Minato, have you considered Shiranui-san?"

That got his attention, "Genma?" Again Minato lent back in his chair, pondering the possibility before shaking his head. "No, he's not of the required rank."

"Oh come now Minato, he's a Jōnin in all but name. If it truly represents a problem then just promote him." Mentally Minato knew she was right, that the Council hadn't seen fit to promote him already was laughable.

The more thought Minato gave it, the more it made sense. He was of the right age, mid to late 20's. He possessed the necessary experience, he'd fought in the previous world war alongside him. He had the temperament needed, it all fit. He made his decision. "ANBU," at his call a masked figure appeared in front of him on one knee.

"Hai, Hokage-sama?"

"Find Shiranui Genma and bring him to me." With only a nod the ANBU vanished in a veil of leaves.

It was barely 20 minutes before a knock on the door signalled his arrival. "You called Hokage-sama." He asked having let himself in. "Yes, Genma. I'll jump straight to it, how'd you like to become a full Jōnin?" The bandana-clad man raised an eyebrow, "Sure. What's the catch?"

"Genma-san, what are you doing for the next year or two?" Mikoto asked him, the Tokubetsu Jōnin was only getting more confused. "I'm a bodyguard to one of the strongest Shinobi of our time. So not a great deal," Genma deadpanned.

Mikoto chuckled while Minato looked slightly embarrassed. "Genma-san. Have you ever given any thought to being a Jōnin Sensei?" The look he gave her made her wonder if she'd grown another head. "You're kidding? Right?" The looks they both gave him told him they weren't. "I..I can't say I've given it any thought," he admitted.

Mikoto stepped forward and handed him three a folder, seeing the confused look he gave her she explained. "It's the files for the three Genin we think you'd do well with." Genma opened the folder, he fully expected to find three cobbled together rookie Genin. He didn't expect the three pictures that greeted him. Looking up at Minato, "You'd entrust these three to me?" Both nodded in reply.

Genma was conflicted, he wanted the promotion to full Jōnin, he'd seen his former Genin teammate Gai made Jōnin in recent years. And yet despite the efforts of Minato and others to get him his promotion it still hadn't been given. Plus he wasn't been offered just any Genin, he was being offered the 'Prodigal Three' as they'd been dubbed, each was an heir to a Konoha clan.

"Can I think on this?" he asked, again Minato nodded.

Genma was sat on a park bench just staring into the distance, his mind going over the pros and cons of what he was being offered. He had been there for 15-20 minutes as someone sat down next to him. He looked up to find one of his former Genin teammates grinning at him. "Genma-kun, why the long face?" Gai asked in the loud boisterous voice only he possessed.

He only moved the folder in his hand, drawing Gai's attention to it. "I see, you've been offered the chance to train the youthful fires of Konoha's next generation."

"Yep, but."

"But you don't know if you've got what it takes to be a Jōnin Sensei?" Gai guessed, another nod from Genma telling him he was correct. "I know you and Ebisu were always interested in having Genin teams but I never considered myself teacher material," Genma said, the thoughts in his head running out of his mouth.

"How many of us truly consider ourselves ready to become Sensei. But ready or otherwise we need to ensure the flames of youth burn strong in those who follow us," Gai proclaimed with determination in his eyes. Suddenly Gai snatched the folder Genma held weakly in his hand. Opening it to see who he'd been offered Gai just burst out laughing. Genma just stared at him as kept laughing, "Gai?"

Finally pulling himself together, "Oh, Genma-kun. You won't have to do much hand-holding with these three," Gai explained, wiping away a tear. Genma gave him a look that screamed explain. "You won't have to do much in the way of training them, they have their own extensive training regime. I should know, I helped train them. You just need to guide them through the beginning of their Shinobi careers. If you were still their Sensei two years from now I'd be surprised. These three aren't ordinary Genin. And if you don't believe me then test them." Gai's words struck a chord with Genma, he had of course along with many others heard of the potential the three possessed.

"Gai, do you think I can do this?" Gai's reply was a toothy grin and a big thumbs up. Genma stood and patted his friend on the shoulder as he began to walk away, "Thanks, Gai."

"Come in," Minato said. He was looking out the window, his mind on Genma and his decision, it had been about an hour since he'd left. Spinning around in his chair to see who'd stopped by he found Genma stood in front of his desk. "I do this, I make Jōnin?" Minato nodded, "You need to be a Jōnin to take a Genin team. So they can't refuse your promotion this time."

"Okay, then I accept," with that Genma bowed and vanished in a swirl of leaves.

-A week later-

Daikoku was beside himself with joy, three of the finest students he'd ever had were graduating. The 'Prodigal Three' as they'd been dubbed were to become Genin and as their Academy Sensei, it was his final duty to present them the mark of a full Shinobi.

They were all present at that year's graduation ceremony. Tri, Itachi and Naruto were the only ones in their class to graduate, they were the only first years to graduate. The written test had been a breeze and the practical exam was too easy for the three of them. The graduation tests had several new records thanks to the three of them.

"The graduates of class 14," Sora, the Academy headmaster shouted to the crowd. "Step forward Uzumaki Tri, Uchiha Itachi and Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto." The three boys stepped forward. Naruto surveyed the crowd. Tsunade was there, Hiruzen was there, Gai was there with tears of joy streaming down his face, their fellow classmates were all there, Itachi's parents were both there. But the distinctive blonde and red hair of his parents was decidedly absent.

The sadness came bubbling back up to the surface as his face fell. 'Kaa-chan said she'd be here', her assurance to them both the night before ran through his mind over and over. And Tri noticed, Itachi noticed, Mikoto noticed, those who'd actually come to see the two brothers graduate noticed. Naruto quickly swallowed his emotions as Daikoku stepped forward.

"It has been an utter pleasure to have you three in my class. You've shown an ability far beyond your years, in a way you helped teach your own classmates and you've even taught me a thing or two. I consider it an honour to have been your Sensei." Daikoku said to his three students, all three bowing to their Sensei.

"Uzumaki Tri, step forward," Sora again shouted. In Daikoku's hand was the mark of a full Shinobi, a Hitai-ate. "Uzumaki Tri, as your Academy Sensei I hereby proclaim you ready to receive your Hitai-ate and bestow upon you the rank of Genin." The two shook hands as Tri received his Hitai-ate.

"Uchiha Itachi, step forward."
"Uchiha Itachi, as your Academy Sensei I hereby proclaim you ready to receive your Hitai-ate and bestow upon you the rank of Genin." Again the two shook hands as Itachi was handed his forehead protector.

Naruto was still scanning the crowd, desperately searching for red. "Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto, step forward."
"Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto, as your Academy Sensei I hereby proclaim you ready to receive your Hitai-ate and bestow upon you the rank of Genin." Naruto was just able to say, "Thank you, Sensei," putting on a brave face.

Naruto re-joined the line of new Genin as Sora stood in front of them all. "You are now full members of the Shinobi forces of Konohagakure. You may put on your Hitai-ate's, wear them with pride." The headmaster waited for the Genin to place them where they wished before continuing. "All of you are to return here tomorrow morning at 9:00 am where you'll be told your teams and your Jōnin Sensei. [1]

And with that, the ceremony was over. Naruto was distraught and Tri was fuming. "Itachi, can you cover for us," Tri slowly asked, bringing his anger under control. The young Uchiha sombrely replied, "Ok, but you know that they've all noticed, yes?"

"I do," was his quick reply as once again led Naruto away. Tri and Naruto had never needed to explain it to those who'd taught them these past years. Down the years they'd all seen the crestfallen look in Naruto's eyes, the bright shine his eyes had when he was younger had long since been dulled. And they all now knew of its origins.

Itachi made his way over to those who'd come to see him and the two sons of the Hokage. Tsunade gave him a questioning look to which he gave a sad nod in reply. The blonde Sannin sighing as Sasuke launched himself into his older brothers arms with a shout, "Onii-chan! Can I see your headband?"

Itachi knelt down to let his brother touch the metal plate that formed the centrepiece of the Hitai-ate he'd wrapped around his forehead. After he'd stood again he was engulfed in a hug, "Congratulations Itachi-chan," his mother proudly said. "Thank you, Kaa-chan." While he received a warm smile from his father which he gladly returned.

The sound of a babies laughter grabbed his attention. Turning his head he saw a woman with long red hair with a pushchair in front of her. The pushchair had a young girl, perhaps two years old, again with red hair. Holding onto the pushchair was a young boy, perhaps four or five years old with bright yellow hair and whisker-like marks across his cheeks.

Itachi recognised all three, he'd met them before.

"Kaa-chan?" the blonde child asked, "Where are Naruto-nii-chan and Tri-nii-chan?" Kushina was looked around the crowd, searching for the distinctive bright yellow and black/ red hair of her two eldest. "I don't know Reza-chan," she answered glumly, "I guess we'll see them at home, we need to continue your training anyway," she added before leaving, her youngest son in tow. "Aww, but Kaa-chan, I wanted to see their headbands," Rezano whined.

Itachi just watched, a sense of disbelief falling over him. He knew that Kushina knew him personally, they'd met numerous times and he was standing not fifteen feet in front of her. Yet she didn't even notice him if she had she could simply have asked him where her sons had disappeared too.

And after what he'd just witnessed, he understood, just a little of what it must be like for his best friends on a daily basis. A part of Itachi was sort of glad Kushina didn't notice him, what would he actually say? 'Sorry Kushina-san, they were really upset because you weren't here, so they left?

It made Itachi feel slightly guilty.

Furthermore, Itachi couldn't decide what was worse. Being late and missing the entire ceremony or not turning up at all? Regardless, he didn't have the heart to tell them that their Kaa-chan only turned up after they'd left.

It had been several hours since the graduation ceremony and the sun was beginning to set. Tri and Naruto were stood outside their front door. Naruto knuckles were white as he gripped the door handle with a deep sense of trepidation of over what might happen when he opened it. "Just go upstairs Naruto, I'll deal with any talking." The blonde nodded despondently before pushing the handle down and opening the door.

The hall was dark and quiet, a line of light illuminating from the bottom of the door that leads to the front room/ dining room. Naruto quickly shed his sandals and as quietly as possible rushed up the stairs. It wasn't quite quiet enough however as the door opened and Kushina stuck her head into the hallway. Tri had just stepped onto the first stair, hand on the bannister. "Tri-chan, dinners ready for you both when you want it," she said quietly.

"We've already eaten, Kaa-san," Tri replied coldly. Kushina visibly winced at his tone and dropping of the chan suffix as he walked up the stairs without another word. Kushina just stood there in the doorway, she had intended to apologise as they ate. 'I'd better go up and apologise to th….'

"Kaa-chan!" she heard Rezano exclaim in pain. Ducking back into the dining room and rushing to his side. "I cut myself Kaa-chan!" he whimpered, the offending knife with a little blood lying on the table. Kushina took his hand in hers, opening his palm she found nought but a red line, 'The Kyūbi's chakra already heals him, I'll need to tell Minato and Jiraiya of this'.

In the commotion, her intention of apologising to her two eldest was utterly forgotten.

-The next day-

The time for ceaseless training was over, sort of. The training would continue but their childhood was for all intents and purposes over. The promotion to Genin saw you classified as an adult, age was irrelevant, they were 9 years old and yet were adults.

The past year had seen even greater levels of improvement for the 'Prodigal Three'. Itachi's three tomoe eyes were something to behold, Naruto's combination of Taijutsu and Kenjutsu was devastating while Tri's chakra control and Fūinjutsu defied belief.

They were waiting in one of the larger classrooms at the Academy, they were awaiting the announcement of their new Sensei. The headmaster Sora was in the midst of announcing the new teams, most of the new Genin had been called and had already departed.

"Next team consists of Uzumaki Tri, Uchiha Itachi and Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto." Naruto fist-pumped at the three of them being teamed together. "You are now Team 12, your Jōnin Sensei is Shiranui Genma."

"Genma-san?" both Tri and Naruto said. "You know him, Tri, Naruto?" Itachi asked. Tri nodded, "Yeah, he's one of Tou-san's Guard Platoon."

The three were still musing amongst themselves when they heard a voice. "So, do you want to continue talking among yourselves, or do you want to get started?" In front of them was a man in his mid-twenties with shoulder length brown hair, his Hitai-ate was wrapped around his head in a bandanna. His outfit was the standard Konoha Uniform complete with flak jacket and in his mouth was his trademark Senbon.

Tri grinned, he'd met Genma on a few previous occasions and he'd decided he like the man. He'd found him to be a calm and collected individual, and his presence on the Hokage Guard Platoon was a testament to his ability. "We're ready Genma-Sensei! Naruto proudly proclaimed. "I'll be the judge of that," the newly promoted Jōnin rebutted. "Training Ground 3, twenty minutes."

With that Genma vanished in a swirl of leaves, as a result, he missed his three new students Shunshin out of the room. Training Ground 3 was one the three knew the location of but had never used it.

It took Genma about ten minutes to arrive. Leaning against one of three wooden posts positioned in the centre of a glade that dominated the training ground. 'That should take them about another ten min….' His train of thought was derailed and he had to clamp his teeth together to stop his senbon from falling out as three figures appeared in front of him. 'Ok, I'll admit, that's impressive' he thought.

"Not bad, not bad at all. Maybe you aren't all hype after all," he commended them as he pulled a pair of bells out of his pouch. Minato had instructed him on the ins and outs of the bell test. The looks on the faces of his Genin suggested they did too. "Are you familiar with these bells and their purpose?" he asked. Naruto nodded, "Yeah, Hiruzen-Jiji explained it to us ages ago." Genma noticed the brief flickers of irritation on Tri and Itachi's faces, again he was impressed. 'Interesting, both seem to understand the importance of information'.

"Good, then I shan't have to explain what your task for today is," he said, tying the bells to the pouch to the left of his tailbone. "Stipulations Genma-Sensei?" Tri asked. "None," was the reply. "In that case then, Genma-Sensei, we ask that you not reveal what you learn of our abilities to Tou-san," Tri asked. Genma furrowed his eyebrows at the strange request, 'What could they know that they don't want Hokage-sama to know?' letting his curiosity get the better of him, Genma slowly inclined his head, deciding to see where it led.

Genma assumed a Taijutsu stance as the Prodigal three assumed a formation. Naruto stood front and centre, Tri was a few feet behind and slightly to his siblings left while Itachi stood further back slightly to Naruto's right. "Prospective Team 12, your Genin Exam begins now!"

As Genma expected Naruto shot forward straight towards him, the two Tantō remaining in their sheaths. Tri had also begun moving, except he'd taken a curved trajectory that would eventually bring him to Genma's side while Itachi was stood perfectly still. Deciding to focus on the two coming towards him he shot towards Tri. If Naruto was coming towards him head on it meant he was the dominant Taijutsu user amongst them. Genma pulled a kunai from his pouch, Tri did the same but his seemed to simply appear in his hand.

The two kunai clashed in a flicker of sparks and the grinding of metal, Genma kicked out at Tri's ribs with a leg forcing him back, the Jōnin jumped to his right as Naruto arrived with a kick of his own aimed at the back of his knees. Seeing an opportunity to strike Genma threw his kunai at Naruto only for it to be knocked off course after Tri threw his.

The Uzumaki forced Genma to draw another kunai to block the half-dozen shuriken cast towards him. Naruto followed the shuriken in, this time a Tantō drawn. Genma threw a pair of shuriken of his own stopping two of Naruto's while he blocked the remaining four giving him the time to block Naruto's thrust with his Tantō. Deflecting the blade to the left he drove his right fist into Naruto's face knocking him to the ground.

Another flurry of shuriken from Tri prevented him from continuing his attack. He used to lull to check his surroundings, that's when he noticed Itachi was gone. It was then that his senses screamed danger, he ducked just in time as foot whistled past where his head had just been. 'Lesson one: Don't take your eyes off the Uchiha' Genma thought as he was forced to block a follow-up kick from Itachi, his momentum spinning him round allowing him to use his other leg.

It was barely sixty seconds in and Genma was forced to use the senbon in his mouth, shouting it at an oncoming Naruto. Tri, however, was approaching from his blind side, he was forced to Kawarimi lest Tri reach the bells. Genma ended up in the treeline, hidden by some bushes about thirty feet away. 'Now, how will you find me?' he wondered as his Genin stood where they were.

"You have him, Itachi?" Naruto whispered. "Yes, thirty-three feet to Tri's 4 O'clock," Itachi whispered back, his Sharingan able to distinguish Genma's chakra amongst the greenery. "Naruto, Itachi, we can't rush him, he has the advantage. Naruto, you swing right, Itachi you swing left, force him out of the trees towards me." Both nodded as they shunshining away.

Genma figured they'd both gone looking for him and he was preparing to strike out at an alone Tri. Two voices put paid to that.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu." (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)

"Suiton: Teppōdama." ( Water Release: Gunshot) From his left came a large fireball and his right a smaller ball of water. Genma had a problem, for obvious reasons he couldn't go left or right, if he moved back further into the trees then Naruto and Itachi would be on him immediately. He couldn't Kawarimi, Tri was stood next to his log and he'd only prepared the one, he didn't think he'd need more than that. The only option left was to push forward out into the open.

With that Genma rushed forward from his hiding place. The balls of fire and water clashing, a great cloud of steam chasing the newly promoted Jōnin out of the treeline. And it's there that he ran into his next surprise. "Fūton: Ressenpu." (Wind Release: Violent Whirlwind) The sudden gust of wind forced Genma to channel chakra to his feet to keep him still. 'Gah. His Fūton Jutsu is holding me stationary, how can all three of them already possess nature Ninjutsu'.

And looking over his shoulders, sure enough, Naruto and Itachi were taking positions either side of him. The three were surrounding him in a triangle. Tri's wind not letting up, Naruto redrew a Tantō while a flicker of movement brought his attention to the hand signs Itachi was weaving.

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu," (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique) a stream of six fireballs formed an arc between Itachi and Tri as they sped towards Genma. Naruto was still stationary and that provided him with a window to escape the imminent danger. He let the fireballs get closer before he released the chakra holding him stationary. He allowed the gust of wind to carry him away from Itachi's Jutsu.

And not a moment too soon because the moment the small fireballs entered the wind stream they flared in size and lost their shape turning instead into a stream of flames. Now that he was far enough away he noticed that Tri's vision of him was obscured by the flames. So he Kawarimied right in front of the Uzumaki, catching him completely off-guard long enough to slam a fist into his stomach. Tri doubled over as what air left in him rushed out. Genma kicked him away before turning his attention to the other two.

Wanting to deal with Itachi first, Genma pulled six senbon from his pouch and threw them at Naruto in an uneven pattern. Even as he rushed towards Itachi he kept throwing more senbon towards the blonde. Naruto was forced to dodge left and right massively slowing him down as Genma reached Itachi. After reading their files he knew the Uchiha was better at Taijutsu than Tri but wasn't the same standard as Naruto. It meant Genma began to push him back as Itachi sacrificed ground to maintain form.

Genma was forced off the offensive with a roll to his left as Naruto finally arrived with a wide horizontal swing with a tantō. He lashed out with a quick kick to the side of Naruto's standing knee leaving him in a heap on the ground. A few more senbon aimed at Itachi meant he couldn't go on the offensive either. Genma jumped away, it was about time he moved beyond Taijutsu.

Weaving hand seals before pulling out kunai with fine metal wire tied to them. With several in one hand, he threw them, "Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu," (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique). Out of his mouth, he spewed fire that raced along the wires. Itachi was able to deflect two of the kunai away with shuriken but he and Naruto were forced to dodge those that remained, a few licks of flame caught one of Naruto's ankles. Naruto's nose scrunched up as the smell of singed clothing hit him.

Wanting to keep his Genin moving, Genma made more hand seals, "Katon: Endan," (Fire Release: Flame Bullet), firing fist-sized fireballs one after the other at the both of them. Ensuring that neither Itachi or Naruto would be able to engage him he spared a glance in Tri's direction. And like Itachi earlier, Genma found his Genin had again vanished. The briefest of flickers on the edge of his vision was the only warning he got as a knee slammed into his side. 'The speed! I didn't feel him coming at all'. Before he could move away Genma felt a piece of paper pressed into the back of his neck. "Fūin," was all he heard before Tri backed off of his own accord, his left hand forming the Seal of Confrontation. [2]

Naruto and Itachi were now speeding towards him, he needed to get some distance between himself and the three of them. His Kawarimi log was now unattended so he channelled chakra in preparation but he couldn't. He simply couldn't focus his chakra, he couldn't draw on it much less mould it. He was quickly surrounded on all sides.

The fight was over, all his Genin needed to do was reach out and take the bells. Sure he could call on his Taijutsu but they'd soon overwhelm him. Genma grinned as he went into his pouch for another senbon, but as his hand felt around for one he couldn't hear the bells. Confused he looked down at the pouch to find the bells gone. He looked around at each of his Genin, he found both bells in held in Tri's hand.

"When'd you get them from me?"
"When I kneed you Sensei," Tri calmly replied. Genma's grin only widened. Internally he was a little embarrassed, it had taken them less than five minutes for them to retrieve them. "The seal?"
"It's a chakra suppression seal, you'll have noticed you couldn't manipulate chakra," Tri explained. "Alright. Congratulations Team 12, you pass the Genin test," Genma congratulated them. "Tri, could you remove this seal please,"
"Hai, Sensei," Tri said as Genma knelt down and held his hair out of the way. With a few flicks with a brush, the seal dissolved from his neck. "So you know Fūinjutsu," Genma stated rhetorically, Tri nodded. "Okay, you can elaborate later. Now go retrieve the equipment you've used."

While they retrieved the kunai they'd used it gave Genma a moment to think. 'Gai wasn't kidding, these three are not normal Genin. They displayed ability I'd expect from a low to middling Chūnin.'

It only took them a few seconds to retrieve all their equipment back, Naruto had even gathered his senbon, taking back his senbon, "Thank you Naruto," the blonde nodded and smiled. "Now, all of you take a seat," he invited, waving a hand at the grass covered ground.

"Okay, now that we definitely know that I'll be your Sensei then let's do the introductions. My name is Shiranui Genma, I'm a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon. I don't like many things and instead of hating, I'm utterly indifferent. I have hobbies but my duties mean I have little time for them. I specialise in senbon and Ninjutsu," Genma told his team. He lifted his arm to point at Itachi, "You next."

Itachi had an unsure look on his face but nevertheless began to speak. "My name is Uchiha Itachi, I don't like many things nor do I hate many things. My hobbies include training and spending time with my friends. I specialise in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu and Shurikenjutsu and my nature affinity is Katon.

Next came Tri. "My name is Uzumaki Tri, my likes include my family and friends, my hates are few but include a certain white-haired old man and perverts. My hobbies are the same as Itachi's and I specialise in Ninjutsu, Fūinjutsu, pure speed and I've aptitudes for medical Ninjutsu, Shurikenjutsu and Genjutsu. My nature affinities are Katon, Fūton and Suiton." He got a confused look from Naruto at his mention of Genjutsu but he got a baffled look from Genma at his affinities.

"My name is Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto. My likes are also my family and friends and I don't yet hate anything. My hobbies are also training and spending time with my friends. I specialise in Taijutsu and Kenjutsu with aptitudes in medical Ninjutsu and Fūinjutsu. My nature affinities are Suiton, Doton and Fūton. Naruto had only just finished talking when Genma thrust a piece of chakra paper in the faces of both brothers.

And sure enough, Tri's split down the middle, half burning, the other half becoming soggy. Naruto's also splitting down the middle, half becoming soggy and other half becoming dirt. "Huh, what'd a you know, you actually do have three affinities each," the disbelief still evident in Genma's voice.

Their Sensei crossed his arms and closed his eyes, he was silent for several seconds before he opened his eyes again. "Okay, now I want you three to explain. Explain how you display skill-sets and ability far beyond what brand new Genin should be capable of. Even the once in a generation geniuses don't display such ability."

The three looked at each other and each nodded. Tri formed the clone seal, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," (Shadow Clone Technique). And next to Tri appeared an identical clone who waved at Genma. "You know of the Kage Bunshin's ability to transmit what it learns back to the original," the clone asked. Genma nodded in understanding, "Okay so you use Kage Bunshin to speed up the learning process, how many can you each create?"

"I have the least chakra amongst us but I can still create 6 and still be able to personally train effectively. I believe I will soon be able to maintain 7. Tri and Naruto, both being descendants of the Uzumaki clan possess far greater chakra reserves. Naruto can currently maintain 25 and Tri who had more chakra than anyone else I've ever met can easily maintain over 40."

"But while I and Naruto do have more chakra to use, we both feel that Itachi has the potential to simply be a better shinobi than either of us. We can't think of why else he keeps up with our rate of learning so easily." Tri added. Internally Genma's mind was reeling, '6-7? 25? 40+? I'm only able to create three at any time'

"Explain your Fūinjutsu skills, since you don't retain physical improvements when clones dispel."

"You are correct Sensei, but Fūinjutsu is a combination of mental memory and muscle memory. Mental memory for learning about seals, muscle memory for drawing them. Similar to how you perform hand seals for a Jutsu without having to think."

'They are intelligent as well as talented'. "Tri, where are you with your Fūinjutsu?" the Jōnin asked, bracing himself for the reply. "I'm currently at level 6 Sensei, I believe I will be ready for level 7 soon," Tri responded. "Who teaches you?" Genma assumed it would be Minato and Kushina given their statuses as Fūinjutsu masters, again he found himself confused as Tri replied. "Bar guidance from Hiruzen-sama, I teach myself Sensei."

Again Genma was silent, he was having to take in so much information that didn't in anyway seem true. If his senbon weren't made of metal, he'd have bitten it in half by now.

Genma had dismissed his Genin team until tomorrow, he walked through the village in a half-daze. They'd spent the day discussing what the three knew so Genma wouldn't be wasting time trying to teach them something they already knew. Over the next fortnight or so he had expected to teach them tree climbing and squad formations. But he didn't have to.

He hadn't intended to teach them how to manipulate elemental chakra at all but he didn't have to do that either. The only thing he was sure he could pass onto them was experience.

He only became aware of his surroundings again when he dropped himself into a sofa, looking around he quickly noticed he was in the Jōnin waiting room. It was a large room filled with numerous sofas, many of which were occupied by Konoha Jōnin who were passing the time in their own ways. With this room, it allowed Jōnin to be easily findable if they were needed, most prominently in case of emergencies.

Kakashi was on a sofa opposite him and as per usual had one of his Icha Icha novels in hand, studying the masked man for a moment, he'd always wondered how he was able to read the thing properly while always paying attention to his surroundings and make no mistake, he was paying attention. 'Perhaps that why he re-reads them constantly, he learns something new on each re-read since he's splitting his attention'. He was brought back to attention by a giggle from the very same man. Genma briefly shuddered before staring off into space again.

It could have five minutes, it might have been twenty, Genma didn't know. What he did know was that he was dragged back to reality by someone sitting down next to him. Looking to his left he saw a grinning Gai staring back at him. Genma looked ahead of him again, "You knew didn't you, you knew how good they are." Gai joined him in staring at the far wall. "I did, remarkable aren't they, I knew words wouldn't quite be enough so I let them display their fires of youth instead."

While his eyes never left his book, Kakashi was listening to every word Genma and Gai said. He knew Genma had taken the 'Prodigal Three'. He'd been offered them himself but had immediately rejected the offer. In his own words, 'I don't have time to raise children'. When the copycat Ninja wasn't on a mission, he was usually Rezano's personal guard. Nonetheless, his fellow Jōnin's words intrigued him. I wonder how good they are, Genma's not one to be easily impressed'.

"I have to agree with you, Gai. They've been Genin for barely a day and I'm already considering whether to forward them for the Chūnin Exams in Kumo next year. The necessary skill sets they already possess, all I can give them is advice and experience."

"You feel they can compete in the Chūnin exams?" Gai wondered. "Yes, by the time they roll around I intend to have them desensitised." Gai nodded, the greatest problem for most Genin competing in the Chūnin exams is that they weren't used to killing.

They were Ninja, but they were still children. But while they were still children, they were Ninja.

End Chapter

[1] - I never really understood why there was no official ceremony of sorts when new Genin graduate from the Academy, they're just so casual about it.

[2] - The seal of Confrontation is a one-handed hand seal which looks like a half-ram/ tiger. As it's name implies the SOC is a symbol of combat but can also be used to concentrate chakra for things such as Fūinjutsu.