It had been an sporadic morning as we both rushed to get ready for the big day. Graduation was hyped for years, finally to become a ninja and help your village. This would be great... except we barely got there on time. Naruto and I were lucky to be near the end, me last and Ino just after Naruto. So we could somewhat be late, but Iruka-Sensei loves his speeches and hates tardiness. It wouldn't have been a problem if Naruto hadn't thrown his alarm, which acted as mine too, because it woke him up a day early.
But that doesn't matter anymore, this would be the day where I step out of this academy. I felt somewhat pleased with my ability to pass this, Naruto however was worrying me more; he had approached me about his inability to use the clone technique. Now my sensory prowess hasn't improved much but I could tell that Naruto had an odd problem, he put too much chakra in, I couldn't get him to put less in which seemed to be in regards to the amount he has. My chakra in comparison is like an ant to a lake, the ant can pick up precise things whereas the lake ends up drowning it. So I tried everything to get Naruto to complete the jutsu... There was one way to make it work but there wouldn't be enough room in the academy to show it off.. making it very impractical. I took Naruto outside the populated areas and asked him to make clones. As many as possible. This is where the problem became apparent. Naruto was all I could see. Literal thousands. I could make ten at most. We were stumped at what to do. Iruka-Sensei's only advise was to practice... He did not seem to care about the amount he could make, which struck me as odd.
The exam had three parts, Academic: A fairly basic test of all the practical things we had learnt. Taijutsu: Sparing against Mizuki-Sensei, allowing correct hits in while blocking and evading incorrect ones, speed was the determining factor, fastest attacks got better score. Ninjutsu: Demonstrating the three main techniques from the academy. You had to pass two of the three types off tests to pass, each type had various ways to determine if you pass.
Being last mostly sucked. I had to wait which wasn't bad, I had seen everyone else pass first except one. I couldn't do anything about it but walk into the room that Naruto slumped out of. Iruka-Sensei was the first to greet me as I stood in the middle. The room was exactly like the rest of the academy, it was situated differently however as a desk with both sensei sat down there, the room was wide enough to have the exam but not overly so. Logs situated in the corner, supposedly for the substitution technique.
"You may show us the three jutsu in any order" I merely nodded as I swiftly moved my hands to weave through the signs needed calling out on completion "Transformation Jutsu." With that Chakra surged around me slightly as a cloud pooped into existence and when it faded it revealed a perfect replica of Mizuki-Sensei, then once more of Iruka-Sensei.
After reverting to myself I decide to use the clone jutsu and with the hand signs needed five clones joined me in the room. The clones were all identical and the only difference was my chakra being larger. I then thought to use the clones in tandem with the next technique, all off the clones spread out and one threw a kunai, of course it wouldn't have done anything due to it's lack of physicality but I readied the Substitution Jutsu and switched with another clone. The display should be enough for a pass easily.
Once all the clones vanished Iruka was the first to congratulate me. "Well done Zuko, you passed. You can take any headband you'd like" he gestured to the tray they had to their right and I almost rushed to get it. But instead I calmly picked one up and looked at it in detail: the blue cloth material was sturdy but soft, it was lengthy but not in a way in which it would be detrimental by allowing potential enemies to use that against you. A slick metal plate that despite being in this room all day was entirely cool. Directly in the middle was the insignia for the village, the acknowledgement that I am a protector of it. I hold it in my hand as I walk out of the room, barely noticing Iruka-Sensei follow and Mizuki-Sensei poof out of the room.
Iruka-Sensei had declared it the end of the day and that the next day after tomorrow would be team placements.
Leaving the academy I couldn't see Naruto around, I wanted see if he was at ichiraku otherwise I would just let him do what he needed to, Naruto got like this very rarely usually near his birthday if it got too bad, but this case was considerably worse, Naruto wanted nothing more than to be a shinobi and to have that be taken away would be devastating. He once told me of a time when he had tried to cohort Iruka-Sensei into letting him try his headband. It didn't work but it has been the only thing he has ever really wanted.
After failing to find Naruto anywhere I decided to walk around for awhile. Aimlessly wondering the village I was now supposed to defend and fight for it, I was surprised to find I had walked over to the surrounding forests, this is where kiba had been killed. The whole thing had been suppressed after Ibiki had asked questions about the event I had completely stopped thinking of it.
Looking around I found the atmosphere to be scary; it was quiet barely any wind going through this area. There was no sign of previous disturbance to the clearing. The people at the academy were told that Kiba had been accidentally killed, an unfortunate accident. A funeral was held but I'd forgotten about it, not unintentionally it felt like I was somewhat at fault. I know that everyone had tried to convince me otherwise but at the very least Kiba shouldn't have died, even if I was dead instead. I buried the thoughts of that event away. I was pretty sure the Inuzuka clan knew what actually happened but couldn't do much about it. Those ninja that had been obliterated were etched into my mind, I kept telling myself that it was an accident and it was me or them, it helped a small amount, what was better was that they weren't anything to me: I could barely remember their voices, yet their screams were loud, faceless but in pain.
Coming out of my thoughts I noticed how dark it was meaning I should head home, hopefully Naruto would be in a better mood. On the walk home I notice lots more ninja about than usual. I hadn't noticed anything odd but maybe more enemy shinobi where about. That would be bad but with this many leaf nin here it would be quickly solved, finally reaching home I quickly did my routine to end the day, hoping that Naruto wasn't in too much trouble this time as he wasn't here.
The next day was less eventful, I woke at midday and as a result panicked before rushing to get my ninja registration complete. The picture they took was generic and I had decided to place my headband on my forehead which is stardard for shinobi. By the time I had all that finished and handed in to the Hokage I did find Naruto, much happier... and covered in white paint, accompanied wth red swirls. I sighed to myself before he noticed me nearby. "Hey Zuko! You'll never guess what?" He didn't even give me time to respond as he carried on "I am a ninja now, believe it. Iruka-Sensei gave me his after Mizuki-sensei tried something funny" I only nodded to this, not too sure of how I should respond. It didn't seem like fun to experience but he was happy. I decided to nod and congratulate him, he had somehow did it, this for some reason didn't surprise me as Naruto had this unpredictability about him and most things tended to work out. He then went to have his registration picture then hand that in. After that small conversation I had nothing left to do other than prepare for team placements.
I wasn't too bothered with who my commrades could be, I would strive to work well with anyone I was put with. Though Naruto and I had a pretty good understanding of how we fight, after our training spars Naruto was easily a messy brawler. He didn't always go through the motions as intended or as expected, yet never lost their attack power or speed. His actual style was mostly dirivative from the basic style taught at the academy; mine being a exact repelica with few differences as I prefer to have specific strikes than general damage towards a person. This meant that instead of always using a fist I would strike with my hand out but never just do that. It was a work in progress but that is expected: I am a genin.
The following day had everyone waiting for the moment that they would be put into squads and given a Jonin sensei to help them train and protect the village through missions and whatever else was required. Today was exciting, yet somehow it wasn't enough for Naruto apparently, Naruto and Sasuke had a little glare off because everyone was drawn towards the stoic attitude of the last Uchiha. Then one of the only few people who hadn't looked over had knocked Naruto off balance... Resulting in what the two participants could have only concidered to be the worst thing ever to have happen. Naruto because of his attraction towards Sakura and the droves of students who adored Sasuke and thusly didn't like his rival. Then Sasuke because he hadn't wanted his appearance of complete nonchalant-ness to break and his dislike of doing 'idiotic' things. Iruka-Sensei had calmed the class down just before the girls could get their hands on the young Uzumaki. He started with a speach that tried to give more meaning to our new jobs as Genin. He did well, but we were all too excited about the start of our ninja life that it came off boring. Iruka-Sensei stood strong and powered through the speach before he started to announce the newest teams to join the shinobi forces.
The first two teams were new, Team one and Team two had been declaired, Teams 3,4 and 5 were already taken and belonged to other, older, Genin. Team 6 were allocated. Then Team 7. History lessons had never said anything too positive about team 7, either something really bad happened or they turned out unlucky in some way or another. Team 7 hosted the Second Hokage, and by extention the Third Hokage's team which made it seem like a positive thing to be in team 7, if you believed the superstition that just being in team 7 was a good thing. However no shinobi became great without misfortune of some kind: The first Hokage had to kill his best friend for betraying the village, the third Hokage had watched his team become powerful then break up into their problems, then having his sucsessor die before him during his old age. Even Iruka-Sensei had his parents killed and couldn't do anything to help. With all these thoughts running through my head I almost missed the announcment of the team "Team Seven will be: Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha-" Iruka was cut off by loud moaning and a lone cheer "- and Naruto Uzumaki." He hurriedly finished. This gained mixed emotions from team 7, they all had someone they wanted to have on their team. Sakura wanted Sasuke, Naruto wanted Sakura, and Sasuke wanted someone who wouldn't get in his way or his rival. Naruto almost spoke out but Iruka-Sensei hurried onto Team 8 before he could inturrupt. "Team Eight will concist of Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuuga and Zuko." This was somewhat a surprise. Most teams had a basis on which to place the members, for example the famed Ino-Shika-Cho combo team had been generations old and the three clans were close and utilised their jutsu in effective combo attacks. Though I was aware that Shino could use his insects to tag and track, and hinata could use her byuakugan doujutsu for a wide range of things: chakra control to tracking. I hadn't thought that my ability to sense chakra would be much use, but if trained correctly it would extend the range... But Hinata's Kekki Genkai would be much better than I could ever get my ability to be. I had just finished my thoughts as Iruka finished the last few teams. I didn't catch what team 9 was but team 10 seemed to be the Ino-Shika-Cho trio which was no surprise.
Iruka-Sensei had told us that after lunch our Jonin Sensei would take us away and we would be under their charge for the forseeable future. When lunch began I noticed Hinata and Shino had come over to me, and Shino spoke in a minimalistic tone "I think it would be wise to have lunch together, Hinata-san, Zuko-san?" He had asked for our thoughts on this proposal, Hinata agreed with a slight stutter, not used to talking to the taller boy while I nodded my head with an agreeing confirmation.
We made our way to one of the large trees in the academy enterance area. We sat around the base of the tree, at first in a comfertable silence before it was broken by a small voice "I-I hope we c-can get alo-along well as a team" I looked over to the pale-eyed girl and smiled.
"I don't see why we wouldn't, I don't know about you two but it seems this team is stuctured around tracking... What do you think?" I asked both of my new teamates as they started to ponder this very question.
"That would seem logical." There was a small pause before Shino carried on "Though what exactly can you do to track? Hinata has her clan's jutsu and I have mine."
It was blunt but true none-the-less. Hinata piped up before I could agree however "I-I am sure that Z-Zuko-Kun has other w-ways to help the t-team" she offered a smile, not wanting me to feel out of place if that was the reason for this team.
I shook my head "Well Shino you're right, I can sense chakra of people but I have no idea how to use it that much. It has a small radius and even if I had expanded it, Hinata's dojutusu would outclass it by miles. As for other ways to help the team? I have no idea." Shino hadn't looked too impressed with that and Hinata was slightly sullen at 'outclassing' any skill I could bring to a tracking team. I decided to add "But the tracking team is just a hypothesis. Besides we are just Genin, so the specilization of a team wouldn't come until we were much more developed..." I trailed off into slience. Not comfortable like before. It stayed this way as each of us though about the team in our own ways. I had probably not helped the dynamic of the team and we haven't even met our Jonin Sensei yet.
It didn't take too much longer before I saw a familar face wonder past us until said person turned and smiled gracefully. Each of us having now noticed the person who was strolling over to us. "Hello. You three must be Team Eight right?" Each of us nodded and before I could say anything she carried on "Alright, since I got here early lets go now to save some more time..." She stared at our faces before laughing a slight bit. "You must be wondering who I am? I am your Jonin Instructor: Kurenai Yhuui. I hope to train your potential well. Follow me." She had introduced herself (mainly to the other two) and wanted to leave a big first impression. It worked. Kurenai was my sensei? I hadn't really expected it. Either way we finially got to meet the person who would take charge of this team and hopefully aid us in becoming a greater shinobi.
Walking with my team we ended up at a nearby cafe that was in every way normal, it had bland colours and it wasn't busy but not scarce either. The sent of the various tea was flowing through and tended to mix as they diffused into the room we were sitting in. Kurenai had wanted us to get to know eachother more and offered each of us a drink, Tea was being surved around and the tea of Team Eight was blending it's sents together, creating an aroma that was plesant and almost went unnoticed. It fit well together but it was not trying to do it. The conversastion started with Kurenai-Sensei talking a little about herself. "You three know my name, but a person is always more than that no matter what. I am a person who likes Tea ceromonies and creating artistic things. As a shinobi I am a Jonin who specialises in Genjutsu, the art of altering the senses. While it seems simple, there are very few who can become incredibly profficant in this type of shinobi life. I am not too partial to people who always judge with no merrit to their reasons and the people who believe that every problem is black and white in its solution. I hope that you all will grow into wonderful shinobi that can be respected."
Kurenai-Sensei had a way with words which was probably somewhat attributed to her mastery of genjutsu. She asked Shino to explain some stuff about himself. "My name is Shino Aburame, though you seem to know that already. I like studying and improving my jutsu which utilise my insects." As if to prove his point a small beetle had scuttled across his nose, barely being visable with his high collar. "I take pride in my clan's ability and jutsu that can help us in a great many ways... I also dislike thoes who judge with lack of reasoning. I want to be able to cross bread certain insects, to counteract their weaknesses." Shino had everything set straight and as such didn't say more than what was needed. Next it had gone to Hinata who had been listening and admiring her tea until now.
She had begun to heat up and it was visiable on her face, I had seen her like this before but this time it wasn't as bad yet she still didn't look up as she spoke "I am Hinata H-Hyuuga and I like training a-and reading, also cin-cinnamon buns..." at this decloration Hinata paused and her face flamed some more, which caused Kurenai to smile almost giggling, and both Shino and myself were impartial to this; it was statistically guarenteed that people out there like the sweet, otherwise it wouldn't be sold or made at all. "I don't dislike m-much but when p-people do unnessecary bad things to o-others. One day I want to prove my f-f-father proud." Hinata left it at that and then it had come to me, I wasn't too sure what to say obviously I got the gist of it but what to actually say was the problem.
I drank some tea before starting "My name is Zuko, I guess I like to learn and improve. I also am excited to be on this team with you all... I want to be a good shinobi, one that can protect and help this village. However, I dislike the seperation this village seems to have." Seeing the confused faces on everyone, even Kurenai-Sensei I elaborated "People always appear to treat others differently, even if they don't know why they deserve it - or if they deserve it at all - which is why I hope that being a shinobi will help me understand more..." I trailed off as I was unsure of what to add after that. Kurenai then made a sound to grab our attention and it worked.
"We are going to have a little evaluation of your abilities and we will go from there. I want you three to come to the allocated training ground we can use; training ground 8 isn't too far from here, I will be timing you." With that breif and sudden explanation Shino took up the void of talking and decided to get us moving, we were timed after all.
"The location should be easy enough to get too. Prehaps there is more to this test?" This made us thoughtful for a brief moment as we started heading towards the training area. Agreeing to go our fastest and meet there it didn't take more than thirty minuets to get there. Shino got there briefly after myself, with Hinata a few minuets later. The area we arrived at was not disimillar to the surroundings of the village yet the fence that marked the beginning of the training ground had me reconfigure my thoughts to the training ground itself. A small pond was not too far into the area and it was surrounded by the plains that made up the training field. Trees lined the edges of the pond and its open ground accompanying it, forrests were hidden behind the darkness that the dense foliage created which would be benefitial for hiding in. Kurenai-Sensei was in the middle holding a small device which presumably allowed her to tell how much time had passed exactly. Her eyes hadn't shifted from the small item in her hand as she spoke out to us, her voice travelling the distance with a slight unnerving calmness; seeming to be bored almost.
"I want you three to try and best me in a fight. Do whatever you want. I will not make it easy and you will show me everything you can do as shinobi, anything less and I won't think you want to be trained as a ninja seriously." With that Kurenai-Sensei threw the timmer at us which as it got closer revealed itself to be a kunai. Realising the situation was about to get worse for us I jumped out of the path of the kunai and looked to see my team members do the same. Kurenai hadn't moved yet and I threw three shuriken at her to see if she would react. They stayed true and hit the target; something I wasn't expecting and as our Sensei hit the ground a poof of smoke revealed that she had utilised the substitution jutsu to avoid any damage. We now had no idea where she was and the most we could do was re-group as I couldn't find where my teammates had hidden once I threw my projectiles.
Looking around slightly wary of my Jonin instructor I notice an insect land on my nose, then immediately hover towards the trees to my left. away from the pond and into the deep foliage. Getting the hint from Shino's allies I followed it to his location and met up with Hinata and Shino who had been waiting for me. Hinata spoke up first "Kurenai-Sensei has moved back into the middle, I think she wants us to start the fight..." She trailed of slightly, Shino then picked up from that.
"This would suggest that she is holding back. Because she wouldn't have any trouble against us if she tried. I think our best strategy would be to push her into the forrest and have my kikaichu drain her chakra." Shino looked over in my direction and I nodded.
"Hinata-san and I can put pressure on her with taijutsu while you assault her with your ranged jutsu, have that be your cover for setting up the ambush once we get her past the treelines. Hinata-san I would like you to keep an eye out for openings in her guard, I am positive that Kurenai-Sensei is trying to see how well we do to what she lets us do. When she substituted, it allowed us to hide and regroup, now we need to pass the next test she has planned for us. Shino-san your strategy should let us do that." After recieving nods from my squad we set out the original location we started at. Kurenai-Sensei hadn't made note of our presence yet, unlike last time. Probably good.
I look over to Hinata, then Shino. Both seem to have concentration plastered over their face. We all wanted to prove that we are worthy to our Jonin instructor and I whispered "Let's initiate our plan then. Shino-san, if you would like to start?" Silently Shino lifted his arms as a black buzz erupted out of them and rushed towards our target. She had turned to look at them and as she was focused on them, jumping to move out the way, Hinata and myself sped towards Kurenai, Hinata following up behind me slightly allowing her to aid if nessecary, or take advantage of any openings.
Kurenai landed and had minimal time to react as the black mass followed her some more, obscuring her view slightly, I lunged through the insects with a pointed palm, the surprise attack had merrit as the hand coming through the mascaraded attack hit into her abdomen, following up to keep on with my assault I switched arms and stuck once more, however her surprise had worn off and she grabbed the outstreached arm, about to throw me away by shifting her weight Hinata came in horizontal to my arm and used her gentle fist strike on kurenai's open side, making her let go of her grip, Hinata backed off slightly as I went in for another attack, this time they were concise and quicker, I was closer allowing me to keep my arms tucked in more leaving the window for error smaller than before. Each time Kurenai was about to move away or counter she would be swarmed by Shino's jutsu or threatened by Hinata's taijutsu.
This plan was working and we almost had her to the tree line when she blurred through some hand seals and stood in her place was Shino, and since my attack had been initiated I couldn't stop my momentum and struck Shino in the upper chest, sending him onto the floor as he was unprepared for what just happened. I turned to find Hinata getting bested by Kurenai in a taijutsu attack. I look at Shino briefly, seeing him try to get up and stuggling, I rush to Hinata's side just as she got kicked into across the field and was left unable to move. As I look at Kurenai's turning form I couldn't draw my eyes away from hers. There was this unbridled bloodlust in them that had me shaking. My surroundings mattered less and less as this mist that could only be described as cold had wrapped itself around me, I couldn't even see Kurenai anymore. Just the eyes. It was piercing my very being. It made me feel hopeless and week. I could almost feel my energy being drained by the atmosphere itself. The time begrudged me and wouldn't progress. Stuck. Ready. To. End. It.
My conscious was fleeting, I didn't know what to do. Then I remembered. One thing passed through this endless nightmare I was stuck in. The first thing Kurenai-Sensei did when we got here. As that memory replayed in my final few minuets everything clicked. I gathered my chakra, centred it and prepared to flood my system with my own chakra. I had figured this test out, and now it was time to pass. With a shout of "Kai!" in tandem of me pressing my chakra to cleanse my system of foreign chakra that was inside me at that moment. The first thing to happen was warmth. That cold atmosphere and mist were no longer and then my sight became clearer. Kurenai-Sensei was behind me about to knock me out with a chop to my neck. Not fully thinking, acting more on instinct I ducked down and kicked one of Kurenai's shins. It put her of balance enough for me to coordenate my next attack. Pushing my other leg upwards and it headed for her chin, clipping it slightly my Sensei reeled backwards as I sprung up to my feet. I had this small window to analyse the situation around me. Shino was lent up against a tree and Hinata still on the floor where she was kicked to earlier. I looked to Kurenai who had a small smile on her face, despite the small blood trailing from her mouth. "I am impressed you broke that Genjutsu, and that plan would have gotten a less experienced ninja." I looked at her in confusion, but not letting my guard slip yet.
"Thank you Kurenai-Sensei however the plan was not mine. Though I see my team has been put out of commision for this battle..." I sighed. "Even if you kept holding back I wouldn't be able to best you at this point. I have no specific strength, Hinata would be better than me at Taijutsu and you beat her with it, Shino can't back me up either so I would have to retreat or die... If this were a real shinobi battle. I am sorry Sensei."
Kurenai kept silent during my analysis of the situation. Only speaking up once I came out of my guard and she had too. "You all did well. Lasted longer than I expected. You needn't be sorry either Zuko-kun, your analysis was brutal but that is a good trait in shinobi. There will always be someone stronger than you out there and that isn't a problem, you just need to keep training."
I nodded slightly before speaking up "Kurenai-Sensei... I wasn't sorry because you were stronger than me. That is obvious. It is that both my teammates fell before I did. I specifically had them go into positions further away from you so they could be more useful, especially compared to now. If I was bested and that allowed Shino-san and Hinata-san to carry on in battle then we could have executed our plan and they would have proven themselves to you. All I did was a worse job of what Hinata-san could have done her dojutsu could have dispelled the genjutsu quciker than I and her taijutsu is better than mine is by a lot. Shino-san is almost better than me in taijutsu also. Our sparing at the academy has shown that."
"Don't beat yourself up over that Zuko-kun, you three will grow differently and you three will grow together, I am sure that you will be better than the other two at a lot more things. For example, While Hinata-chan may be better at taijutsu than you, you didn't hesitate to attack me, nor did you panic when your plan went awry. Not everything is about being strong in battle. Even compared to Shino, you improved his plan to get me into the trees, and if what he said was true you had noticed my testing and applied that to your tactics. When we train we can find something more suited to you and you can improve that if you would like as well. I have a feeling that you would be good at a lot if you wanted to Zuko-kun."
I smiled at that. "Thank you Kurenai-Sensei. I am glad you will be our Jonin instructor."
Shortly after Shino and Hinata had woken up, I witnessed Kurenai-Sensei pick up both the genin and take them home. Before she left she had told me that missions start in a week and training starts tommorow. I was officially a ninja.