Tip of The Spear

Chapter 16

Uzumaki Naruto, the Fifth Hokage in waiting was not a happy man, not in the least. It had been two days since the genin pools first 'trial by fire', the SERE course. Of all the genin that participated eighteen of them had done well, hiding and evading capture for nearly three days before the second team was taken prisoner. It was the first team that had Naruto upset, no, not the whole team but one member. Had it been someone that was not leader material Naruto would have let it slide as inexperience but this was not the case.

In this case it was the leader of the three man cell that was the cause of their capture. They had set the record for the fastest time at three hours before ANBU pounced on the bickering team. Reading the ANBU teams report the two female members of the team had every right to complain and bicker with their leader. Having ignored not only the briefing but the reasons for this exercise the leader had just walked around until he found a small hill covered in nice, soft, thick and comfy moss so he could lay down and watch clouds.

While the lazy tendencies of the male Nara clan members are well known the heir to the clan was in a class by himself. Known for his high IQ and strategic thinking Shikamaru Nara was also known for being not only lazy but unmotivated and defiant to authority. Given an order or task during his post academy training he would just do the minimum to pass or just not do anything at all. It was something that not only drove Naruto and the Jonin senseis up the wall but his classmates as well since they were the ones that had to pick up his slack.

Now Shikamaru had pushed the line a little too hard and was in a world of trouble. For one, he did nothing to keep his team viable once they set foot into training ground 44. Second he gave up with out a fight placing his two teammates at risk. Finally his overall lack of concern and actually asking when he was going to be kicked loose when he had been captured and continued until he was placed in his holding cell pissed off not only Naruto but his father and other high ranking ninja as well. In fact the Kinzuko sisters had summed it up rather well, they said point blank in front of him that they would quit before being placed under his command, they had absolutely no confidence in him or his abilities.

Hearing that and witnessing his breakdown while in custody Naruto gave the order that he be kept in custody after the exercise ended. He will be treated as a POW in the hands of Iwa. Once that ordeal was over he was to be given a day to prepare his defense in a performance review. Shikamaru Nara was going to fight to stay a ninja. His own words about being banished from not only the village but his clan had went unheeded. Now, after nearly two weeks sitting in T&I and being treated as if a POW Shikamaru had used his one day to ready himself for the fight of his life and career.

Naruto sat back and read the psych report on his genius of a genin...

Interviewer; "Nara Shikamaru, 012661..."

Shikamaru; "That's my number."

Int; "You're what?"

SN; "My ninja registration number. I've never had an evaluation like this, I've heard of them but never had one."

Int; "Well it's painless and all you need to do is answer my questions as quickly and honestly as you can."

[sound of a cigarette being lit is heard]

Int; "Right, let's begin. You're crossing a desert..."

SN; "Is this the test?"

Int; "Yes...you're walking in the desert...

SN; "Which one?"

Int; "What?"

SN; "Which desert? Why am I walking in it?"

Int; "It's not important, maybe it's the desert around Suna, maybe you're fed up with something or...maybe you're visiting a young lady. There's no right or wrong answers."

Now, you're in a desert and you see a tortoise..."

SN; "What's that?"

Int; "Ever see a turtle? Same thing, now you're walking in a desert and you see a tortoise and it's on it's back. It's desperately trying to right itself but you're not helping, why is that?"

SN; "What do you mean I'm not helping? I don't know what I would do if I came across that situation, this is just a troublesome waste of time. I mean why wouldn't I not help it?"

Int; "Okay, take a moment to calm down. Nara-san , this is just a test. A test, designed to provoke an emotional response okay? Now let's try something different, tell me in simple words things that describe your mother."

SN; "My mother? Troublesome woman. Let me tell you about my mother..."

Naruto looked at the last page in the folder and sighed. The problem with genius's is that it's hard not only to trip them up but to get them to lower their guard. Shikamaru sat in the interview both for nearly four hours and very little was gleaned from the session. Handing the folder to Sakura Naruto heavily sighed, "Looks like we have to go with a performance review. Take a look at this, he nearly turned the interview around on Nagasia and he's one of the brightest T&I have. If I didn't know him I'd say he was a borderline misogynist from the answers he gave about his mother."

"Well, he's not but he seems more to be an underachiever, kind of like Sleaze was in the squadron. Did you see his goals for his future?"

"Sleaze, wasn't he the guy that stayed a Second Class for almost ten years?"

"Six dear, six years. But this is different, AO1 took his time because he was just a Reservist and was only in uniform about two months a year. By the time he made First he was not only senior to everyone else with time in service but he did all he could to show that he was the best and was able to back it up. But Shikamaru? Look at this, wants to retire as a chunin after an average career, marry an average wife and have a two kids. The guy's a professional slacker and he's smart enough to pull it off."

"I know, the thing is this, we want him as our tactical and strategic advisor and unless he has his own 'ah-ha' moment like Team Nine and Sasuke's team did in Wave I'm afraid that I'll be forced to drop him from the program. No, he'll be the one that forces us to ADSEP him, a DOR will force him to be banished from his clan, that much is true but he found a loophole. Should a member of the Nara clan be separated from the forces by administrative or executive orders, barring a disciplinary hearing, said member will be allowed to stay in the village and clan compound. He just won't inherit the clan leadership, that would go to most likely a cousin."

Sakura just shook her head and smiled at her husband, "Well, if we have to call for a PRB we'll need to make it look like a disciplinary hearing. That should force him to fight for his career."

Naruto stood and kissed his wife's cheek, "Sometimes I'm not sure whose the prankster of this family, you or me."

Kissing her husband back Sakura laughed a bit, "Well, I do have my moments."

/

The hearing room was set up like a court of law back on earth. Unlike the normal day to day hearings of the village that were held in the council chambers this room held a raised seating platform for the presiding officer while adjacent was a box and seat for any witness that was called. To the side was a desk for a secretary to take the minutes of the hearing while seals recorded the audio to be archived and maintained for at least one hundred and fifty years.

Sitting at a raised platform Naruto called that the review board was now in session. Sitting at table in front of Naruto was Shikamaru Nara, by his side sat Asuma Sarutobi as his advisor and counsel. It was not surprising that the son of the third Hokage was there, he had found that Shikamaru was very smart and possessed a keen mind for strategic and tactical thinking.

The review board was sitting on either side of Naruto and it consisted of Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, Shizune and Iruka. They would be allowed to ask Shika questions and at the end advise Naruto on a suitable punishment. Outside were the witnesses, Ino, Ibiki and Anko as well as the ANBU squad that had captured Shikamaru's team in the first place. The third member of the doomed cell had resigned from the forces, she and two others quit the day after the SERE exercise was over. Naruto accepted the forms with a sad face but he knew better than to convince the girls from staying.

Flashback No Jutsu;

Just before they left his office the blond teen asked them all what they would like to do with their lives. The question was legitimate, it would take a recommendation from the Regent or Naruto himself for any of them to enter a civilian school as by graduating the academy they had been registered as adults in the village's census. The first replied that she would like to continue her studies to which Naruto gave a letter of recommendation.

The second mentioned learning a trade. Naruto thought for a minute before summoning a messenger fox. Quickly writing something on a scroll that was handed to the fox who vanished in a puff of smoke as Naruto looked at the third girl.

He remembered her from the evaluations during the long term D ranks. She had been assigned to one of the brothels to observe and record anything of importance said to the working girl during a session in her room.

As Naruto looked at the girl he was not ready for her answer. "I would like to be an agent for Konoha's intelligence arm. If you will allow it I would like to train under madam Ibuki at the Angel Bar."

"I see, and why would you like to take an occupation like that?"

"It's simple, I, like the other girls in my class were trained in seduction. Unlike them I was fascinated by that side of being a kunoichi and while working for Maya-sensie I decided that this was what I would specialize in."

"Something like that would mean a repeat of SERE school so in the event you were captured..." Naruto began to say before the girl interrupted.

"Not if I stay in the village and don't bother asking about what my family would say, They died either by the Foxes rampage or on missions after I was born. I've been an orphan for six years now so it matters little at what they would say. Besides," she began looking down, "it's not like I haven't done things like that in the past. A girl likes to eat and have nice clothes and as an orphan yourself you know how little we get as a stipend."

Naruto was in shock, one of his genin has had to sell her body in the past, maybe recently even, to get better food and some nice things for her self. He made a mental note to look into the amount that was given in an orphan's stipend. He and Sakura had been given a larger amount as it was from Hiruzen's pocket once the old man found out that the person that issued the stipends intended for Naruto and Sakura were being diverted to his own pocket. The Third Hokage didn't even bother with a trial, he himself donned his old ANBU uniform and mask and personally executed the thief.

In the aftermath the man's family were on the streets and his house and assets were seized in the name of the village. He had taken enough money over four years, first Naruto's and later Sakura's, to buy a house and purchase expensive gifts and clothes for his wife and son. When the widow complained to the Hokage she was shown the charges and execution order. Hiruzen then told her that it was only out of pity that he didn't order ANBU to take what little she and her son had left. In the public announcements the man was denounced as a thief for stealing funds intended for the orphans. Hiruzen was wise to not mention the names of the one he stole from.

As Naruto was going over what he had heard in his mind the fox returned with another scroll. Looking at the second girl he smiled, "Looks like this is your lucky day. Both the Aida's and Suzuhara's have offered to place you in their apprenticeship program. They make clothes and footwear so you would have a trade, they also take the most promising apprentices and set them up in another village or town with their own shop. The catch is that you'd have to pay them a portion of your earnings for about ten years. It's a way of funding the program and offset the income they'd have made without competition from their former students. If you accept I'll have one of the cats take you over there."

"I've always been good with a needle and make some of my own clothes so I'd like to at least meet with the ones that are tailors."

"If that's what you want," Naruto said as he began to summon a critter, "that's what you'll get," finishing as a large house cat appeared. "Take this young lady to the Aida's shop and then return for yours and your queens payment."

The cat nodded and walked out the door, the girl trailing behind it. Looking at the third girl, the one that asked to be allowed to look into becoming an intelligence asset, "I'll send a letter to Maya and see what she has to say. While I would like you to look into another occupation I can't stop you. Come back in three days for her answer."

End Flashback

Naruto's mind focused on the present. "Nara Shikamaru, ID number 012661, you are here before this board to discuss the events that took place three weeks agp during SERE training. You will have a chance to rebut any and all statements against you, do you understand?"

Shikamaru's mouth was dry so he took a sip of water from the glass in front of him, "I do Uzumaki-san."

"Good, three weeks ago you were ordered to take part in a survival, evade, resist and escape training mission were you not?"

"I was sir."

"Do you recall the parameters of that mission?"

"We were to be placed into a section of training ground 44 and escape detection and capture for as long as possible. We were also told to memorize a timetable for an assault on an enemy target and that said information was perishable and only good for seventy-two hours."

"I see, so you did pay attention to the mission brief. Why, may I ask, didn't you follow your orders then?"

"I have no answer for that, however I guess that I failed to take the training as seriously as I should have."

Naruto scowled at the answer, "I see, tell me Nara-san, is this what you want to do with your life? Are you happy as a shinobi of the Leaf?"

"Yes, this is what I want to do and yes this is something that makes me happy," the lazy teen answered.

"Then answer me this, you were charged with leading two other fellow genin, kunoichi, if I'm not mistaken, and you did nothing to prevent their capture, imprisonment and subsequent interrogation by T&I's Section Two. Having lived in the village all your life and with your family being on friendly terms with the Yamanaka clan you surely know the open secret of Section Two's techniques for breaking an enemy kunoichi. Why did you not at least protect Ino-chan from that fate?" came Naruto's damning question.

Shikamaru recoiled as if struck, as he mulled over Naruto's words the realization struck him, this was not a review of his performance alone, this was a disciplinary board due to his inaction and failure to take the mission seriously. Naruto and Sakura had several mission statements regarding training and the number one credo was "Treat every training mission and exercise as if it were real", over the past nine months he hadn't and slacked off at every chance. Shikamaru thought he was getting away with it but all he had really done was give this board the rope to hang him by, and he had tied the knot for them.

"I...I have no excuse as to my actions. I was always allowed to skate by because of my high IQ. I figured that since Iruka-sensei was with us that would continue, other than that I have no excuse."

At this point Kakashi stood holding a sheaf of papers, "Nara-san, in my hand are the written work that was assigned to you along with your test results needed to pass to the next level of training. Have you ever taken a good look at them? No? Then let me enlighten you," picking up a smaller set of papers Kakashi began to read out loud, "Out of all essay assignments of a five hundred word minimum your reports were consistently and exactly five hundred words. Out of essays with a thousand to fifteen-hundred word limit, you always turned in thirteen hundred words. I could go on with the written reports but they're all the same, either the bare minimum or exactly in the middle."

Turning a page over Kakashi continued, "Of the exams that had multiple choice answers, you scored, every time I might add, the bare minimum to pass. That's odd since the results of secret tests given you place your IQ at a high genius level but you always manage to score below Choji and Kiba, every...single...time." turning to face his son Kakashi bowed, "Uzumaki-san, I now yield the floor to my fellow jonin-sensie Mito Gai."

As Gai stood and walked to the front of the room he surprised those that barely knew him as he quietly stood in front of Shikamaru, "Nara-san," he began in an uncharacteristically soft voice, "as you know I'm in charge of your classes physical training," holding up a blue folder he began to look it over, "The first day of training you, along with nearly half the class, mostly our lovely kunoichi, could barely even hit the minimum requirements."

Shikamaru looked down in shame as the man continued, "When we did the first bi-weekly progress test, you and one quarter of the class were still below acceptable standard's. It was only after it was announced that anyone failing to meet the minimums would be dropped and that's exactly what you have done, the bare minimum. You absolutely refuse to push yourself to improve your scores, in fact for the record Nara-chan, you're not at the bottom of the list, you are the bottom of the list. Do you have a reason to not push yourself to excel at getting better like your classmates?"

"No sensie, I've no excuse other than I was never physically active and not encouraged in the academy," Shikamaru replied head still down.

"Shikamaru, it's well known to the village and the shinobi world at large that the men in your clan are not that physically active and it's even tolerated to a degree. However there is a fine line between being predisposed to be lazy and sloth, you, young man have abused that excuse and privilege. The reason for the physical training we put you through is that you have the stamina and reserves to see you through a prolonged battle."

"This," he continued as he handed Shikamaru a folder, "is the mission debrief of my team's mission to Wave and it's subsequent additional assignments. It is my understanding that you can read and digest a mission brief or debrief in a short amount of time. Please read it and let us know in your honest opinion if you could have battled as long as the others did."

The room was silent for nearly five minutes before Shikamaru spoke up, "Regarding the first encounter I feel that I could have held my own and contributed to the fight with my shadow techniques. The battle with Zabuza...maybe, I don't know. Had it gone any further I would have suffered from chakra exhaustion. As to the raids on Gato's and Onodera's locations, no, I would not have been able to keep up."

"And should Gato have had reinforcements that were a quick reaction force?"

Shikamaru sat quietly at the table, looked down and said nothing. His silence was damning.

Naruto looked around and spoke up, "Do those present wish to present a rebuttal or speak in defense of genin Nara?"

Once again the room was quiet as Naruto spoke again, "I see, this hearing will reconvene in one hour with our findings and recommendations. I suggest those present that are not needed for the discussions go out and have something to eat.

An hour later found the hearing reconvened and Shikamaru sat facing his future Hokage awaiting his fate. As Naruto sat and talked to Iruka and Asuma Shikamaru caught the glint of mayhem in the blond's eyes. With a smile that resembled a fox Naruto began to speak.

"Shikamaru Nara, I and the board have reviewed your academic and physical fitness scores for not only this post graduate course but those of the academy as well, starting from first year. We've detected a pattern of willful neglect to not only your studies but your physical readiness as well. The fact that although you were 'counseled' about these shortcomings multiple times is disturbing as it should have been done once, maybe twice, before disciplinary remedial actions were begun,"

"Had I known about your lack...of interest in being a shinobi during our last year I would have insisted, belay that, ordered Iruka-sensei to either roll you back a year or remove you from the place entirely," at the Shikamaru not only swallowed hard but blanched as well, his now pale face showing signs of stress, "The education you and others receive at the academy is expensive, under the old system you would have deprived a more deserving student a chance to advance to genin. The cost of training a student from start to finish is close to 11,000,000 ryo, think about not only how much money has been wasted on your sorry hide but the time and effort that the instructors at the academy put into trying to educate your dumb ass. In fact that's the only reason you're still in the program, do you understand me?"

"Y..ye..yes, I understand and I thank you," Shikamaru croaked out.

"Thank me for what? Because of your lack of action one of the young ladies that was captured with you resigned a few days ago, which means you cost the village 11,000,000 ryo and a promising kunoichi. She's now entering an apprenticeship program overseen by the Haruno clan."

Shikamaru's eyes went wide and he yelled out, "Oh shit! Ino! Not only did I..."

"Not Ino you twit, although she would be in her rights to do just that. You do understand by what methods Section Two uses to force information from female suspects and POWs?" Naruto asked with a disgusted look on his face.

While it's true that Section Two is not above sexually assaulting anyone in their hands to gain information during training sessions and exercises such as the recent SERE course those methods were not only forbidden by verbal order but written on a document that spelled out what can and cannot be done to either sexes of student captured. Ino and the other girls were taken as they came in and made to strip, be searched by a kunoichi and given a thin hospital type gown to wear. That was the extent Naruto would allow his kunoichi to be treated however the girls were taken to a room and given a lecture, complete with video, of what Section Two and it's counterparts on the continent actually did to gain information.

However, none of the males like Shikamaru knew any of that, they only knew what they had heard in rumor. It was things like that that Naruto built upon and now, in front of a board reviewing Shikamaru's overall performance of his academic career. Seeing the distressed look on his friends face Naruto moved in for the kill.

"While Ino didn't quit she has made clear as to who she will not work with nor trust on missions," Naruto informed his first friend from his early academy time, "Care to guess? While I'm at it I might as well inform you that Choji feels the same way."

"Shikamaru, I'm not going to lie to you. Nearly everyone of the post grad course as well as the shinobi population at large has heard of your performance, Not one of them are pleased with it and many more have openly stated that they refuse to lead let alone go on a mission with you. But, that's neither here nor there since in time you may be able to regain all you lost, right now I'm turning the pronouncement of our findings to Iruka-sensei, Iruka-sensei, if you please."

"Genin Nara Shikamaru, ID 012661, please stand," Iruka's voice commanded the lone genin, "It is the opinion of this board that you willfully disregarded orders and put you teammates at great risk and harm. Normally this would be considered an act of treason and punished by death, however, since this was a training exercise and it's through our mistakes that we learn you are awarded the following punishment,"

"You are deemed ineligible for the next two chunin exam cycles, you are confined to the village unless on missions or clan business for the next six months and you will pay from your mission payments compensation of 11,000,000 ryo for the young lady that Dropped On Request since that's how much the village lost in it's investment of her education. Furthermore, unless on a mission you will be taking remedial physical training under Gai-sensie, this will last until he's sure you can last in an hour long spar," Iruka concluded.

"I trust that you will find this a fair punishment considering the alternative," Naruto said as Iruka sat down, "I know I'm called many things in the village but stupid is not one of them, please don't view my generosity as stupidity. Have you anything to say before I end this meeting?"

"Ino, I wish to see Ino," was all Shika could get out as his father and Asuma stood next to him.

"Ino-chan, hmmm, I believe that you'll find her through that door," Naruto said as he pointed at the mentioned portal.

Shikamaru nodded his thanks as he nearly ran to the door that his sister was behind. Seeing the girl Shikamaru rushed to her and enveloped her in his arms. While Ino was shocked inside she was a little happy that Shika was acting this way, to her it showed that her was truly sorry for his lazy habits and would take things a little more seriously in the future. She always felt safe in his arms as when they were small and he and Choji would come to her defense if she were bullied, now she not only felt that but his shaking as he fought to hold in his emotions.

"Ino," he gasped, "I'm sorry, I just didn't think that that blond bastard would take things as far as he did. They...they didn't hurt you, did they?" he asked.

"No Shika, I'm fine and unharmed," she replied as she rubbed his back trying to calm him down.

"But...but what about your interrogation by Section Two? They didn't do anything to you? That's all I heard was that they were using their techniques to gain the info we had."

"No, Naruto isn't as heartless as he's made out to be," the girl said trying to reassure her brother figure, "In fact everyone in S2 had to sign a paper swearing that they understood that they wouldn't lay a finger on the girls."

"Then what happened?" the now former dead weight asked.

"Well, we were blindfolded, strip searched and put into a very cold cell. After we lost all sense of time we were taken to a room and were given a talk by some of our chunin and jonin kunoichi that all had been captured by enemy villages and underwent those places version of T&I. Shikamaru, I'm serious now, if it looks like we're certain to be captured I want you to promise me that you'll kill me, please."

"Ino, I...I can't make a promise like that, you're li..."

"Promise me! Even before that lecture I had an idea of what section two does and why so many of them are mentally burnt out after a year or two. Please Shika, promise me."

"I...I...I don't kno..."

"I can't believe that as smart as you are you've never figured out how that section gets it's information. You don't know do you?" Ino asked in a quiet voice, "Fine, I hope you're up to hearing this. Section Two breaks a female prisoner in the most horrible way, they repeatedly rape the prisoner till their mind breaks. Think about it, do you want me strapped down to one of those tables and have that done to me over and over until I go mad? Most kunoichi that survive and are released end up killing themselves. The Leaf village has a lower suicide rate because the first thing we do is hospitalize and begin intensive therapy and multiple mind walks on the girl, now, do you want that to happen to me?"

Shikamaru shook his head as he continued to hold Ino, "No, I don't..." You're serious about this?" at that Ino nodded her head, "Okay, should it look as if we're going to be taken I'll have a poisoned blade set aside just for you. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's painless because once I do that to you I have nothing left so I'll be joining you."

Standing on her toes Ino place a kiss on her brother figure's face, "Thank you, now what did our fearless leader give you as punishment?"

/

The next morning found everyone involved in the post-grad program in room 101 with Naruto in the front with a very unhappy look on his face, "Listen up! Due to recent events this class is behind schedule by a month. This is both good and bad. Bad because it interferes with the last two courses planned. Good because it shows us that we need to extend this course from twelve months to fifteen."

"Since this is the first time we're all together," at this he shot Shikamaru and glare, "and I and the other instructors can go over the SERE training. I first want to say that with a few exceptions all of you did very well although we did have three Drop On Requests. Should you see any of these persons Do Not give them a bad time about leaving the program. They gave all they could and then some but reached the a point that they could not get past. Instead of making fun or pitying them tell them that you understand and if they'd like offer to get them a drink or a snack."

"Now on to the exercise, all of you that are sitting in this room at least understood the meaning of the drill, some later than others," again a look at the Nara, "and while there is no goal other than survive I want to mention a few people. Hinata, would you please stand?" Hinata nodded and stood, a slight blush on her face since she was now the center of attention, "Hinata set the record for the class and kunoichis in resisting their interrogators at thirty-six hours and fifty-three minutes. Well done."

"Will Kiba, Shino and Sasuke please stand? Good, gentlemen, your cell surprised all of us since it was designed to fall apart with the least amount of pressure. Over all you three did a very good job keeping it together but what was surprising was Sasuke. I and my Regent along with our advisors were impressed that you did not openly proclaim you were the leader but rather deferred to your teammates where their knowledge or skills were better suited for the situation at hand. You've grown from being that arrogant emo that I first met in the academy and I'm proud to be your friend."

"Shino, although you had many opportunities to just take command you didn't but instead quietly steered the others to you way of thinking. I see a very capable leader in you and we are going to bring it forth. Contrary to what we all knew about you in this exercise you were the driving force of the cell where Sasuke was the glue that held things together. I expect bigger and better things from you in the future."

"Kiba, when I first heard the injuries your captors suffered I had thought Akamaru was a very strong little dog. Then I found out that in fact it was you. Did you really have to bite those two guys?"

"Hey! They had threatened to kick Akamaru and make a meal out of him. What did you expect me to do, and yes, I do have all my shots up to date. My sister Hanna makes sure of it." the Inuzuka responded.

"I'm sure she does, anyway, all the setbacks aside, we've made more progress than was expected. Now, there are two last phases we need to cover and for them to be taught this class will be taken outside the walls. Now, the first phase is waterborne raids, both on land and against enemy shipping."

"To do that we'll be going to Wave in small groups. I was informed that as of last week their academy was finished and the first classes are just starting. We will be using their teachers for most of the instruction as well as the ships that we seized a couple of months ago. I also have a surprise for all of you while we're there. One last item concerning our stay, the academy at wave is officially a ninja academy, officially it's a maritime training center to educate the students that plan to get jobs on the ships and boats that call Wave home."

"Unofficially," Naruto continued, "it's secondary function is to train Leaf shinobi in waterborne military actions. These men that you will be learning from are Veterans from the fall of the Land Of Whirlpools, some very high ranking officers, and they will give you the very best of training. Now, as to the second phase, Sakura-chan if you will," Naruto said as he stepped aside for his wife.

"Okay, the second phase will be desert survival. We've looked over the records and found that most of our losses of genin were in missions that involved the desert between us and Suna. As you all know we that while we do not share a common border with Suna we do have in our own lands a one hundred and sixty mile stretch of sand and scrub in the northern lands. The Namekazi clan has agreed to train everyone in this class as well as the following ones until we have an experienced cadre to continue on the instruction."

"The Namekazi are very powerful traders and have better ways of making a living than train a bunch of snot nosed brats so be on your best behavior. They don't care who you are of what clan you're from, to them you're all virgins to the sands and they will leave you to die if you piss them off enough. You will do as you're told, Kiba and Shikamaru, without complaint and as fast as you can. If in doubt ask questions, that's what my husband's clansmen are there for. Now, for a change Naruto and I will be training alongside you all since this desert is much different than the ones we operated on."

"The pool will be sent to wave in small groups beginning next week so take this time to get everything ready. As for accommodations, we will be staying at the Uzumaki compound. The last occupant left a very nice mansion with plenty of rooms for us..."

"Just ignore the bloodstains and bullet holes..."WHACK"..."Oww! That fucking hurts you know," Naruto yelled as he paid for his interruption, "Just where did you get that thing anyways?"

"None of your business" Sakura replied as she resealed a very large paper fan, "Okay that's all we have for now. Remember, morning routine and the afternoons are free so you can all do your pack up and get your affairs in order since this is the first time out of the walls for the majority of you. We will meet Sunday morning for equipment inspection and start sending groups out that afternoon. We have enough folks from the last trip to serve as guides for the others so expect them to be in charge. AHH-TEN-HUT! Take charge and carry out the plan of the day, DISMISSED!"

/

The days after that last meeting passed slowly with Naruto and Sakura going over the treaty they were going to propose to Suna when they were called to Tsunade's office. Climbing the stairs both teens wondered what they had done wrong as they were told to report as soon as they could. Entering the outer office the paused to take in the sight of nearly two hundred persons in line ahead of them. Most were citizens with appointments but others were traders and businessmen as well as minor bureaucrats with inflated egos but all of them looked at the teens with disdain.

The average citizens knew who the pair were but the others didn't which caused the rank and file to laugh out loud as Shizune stepped up to them and bowed, "Naruto-sama, Lady Uzumaki, please follow me, your grandmother is waiting."

"Returning the bow Naruto spoke to his sister figure, "Of course Shizune-san, my grandmother is not the one to have patience. Please lead the way."

As they followed Naruto tried hard not to smirk at the glares the traders and politicians gave him and his wife. Sakura however was smiling as she returned the grasps of the villagers as they said their hellos. Ever since Hiruzen set them straight on just who the villagers had been tormenting said villagers had done all they could to atone for their treatment of Naruto and Sakura. Normally she would be loathe to allow them to touch her but she spotted more than a few that had always been if not kind then neutral in their treatment of her and her husband, besides, it was fun seeing the looks on the faces of these self important men that they just cut ahead of.

As they entered Naruto spoke up greeting his grandparents, "Baa-chan, Ero-jijii, what can we do for you?"

Tsunade looked at her grandson and steeled herself for the storm that was sure to come, "Naruto, as you recall I did a physical on you a few weeks ago correct?"

"Yes, why? Baa-chan, is something wrong with me?" Naruto replied with some trepidation in his voice.

Looking at Sakura Tsunade continued, "Well, yes and no. You see I did the physical at Sakura's request, she wanted to confirm something for her."

Turning to his wife Naruto gave her a confused look, "Sakura, what's wrong? What is worrying you?"

"Naruto, do you remember when we lived in San Diego and you turned 13 the first time?" she asked. Seeing his head nod she continued, "Well, you remember that your voice was all over the place until it began to have a deeper tone right?"

"Yes, but what's this having you so worried?"

"Well, a few weeks ago I noticed that your voice has stayed the same, high pitched and raspy, not the commanding tone you were developing back then. I asked obaa-chan to confirm something and she did. Naruto, while your blood clone developed normally in every way, your real body, this body hasn't."

"So, my voice hasn't changed yet, why the seriousness? I don't understand."

"Naruto, listen very carefully, your voice, that wonderful deep voice that got me, Maria and the other girls so turned on, will never happen. Those thrice damned villagers and their attempts to kill you have ruined your larynx, your voice box," seeing the stunned look on her husbands face Sakura took his hand and tried to comfort him, "Now, there's a way to get it back but it's not an easy process so I need you to listen to me and your grandmother okay?"

"Sure," Naruto replied as Sakura's words set in, "But I thought Kurama had healed me every time that happened."

"He did," Sakura answered, "but, the damage just built up until your larynx is a mass of scar tissue. Now, as I said there's a way to fix this and that's a transplant. The donor would be a blood clone of you and once it's stabilized and we're sure that it won't dispel or die we'll harvest it's voice box and to be sure of no future problems any other organs or tissue that needs repair."

"I see, but Sakura, if you harvest from my clone I'm going to have it's memories and when it dies I'm going to not only feel it but remember it as well. I really don't like to do that to my clones if I can help it," Naruto explained in a calm voice.

"Son, look at me," Tsunade told him, "I understand your concern and I know your dislike for hospitals, yes I know you didn't mention it but your concern for your clone gave it away. Now, you recall Sakura mentioning that we would have to wait until the clone was stable right? Well, that's because as soon as you create it I plan on burning out it's conscious mind and..."

"Brain death, you're talking about making my clone brain dead, a vegetable. No, I won't do it, if I have to live with this voice so be it. No matter how fast you do the jutsu I'd still receive it's memories when it expires," Naruto said as he interrupted his grandmother.

"Not necessarily," Sakura interjected, "Kurama will be doing the jutsu. What I mean is that we'll knock you out and Kurama will take over your body for the jutsu, it doesn't matter if it's yours or his chakra that's infused but it's better that we use his. It will make the clone more...durable. Trust me, your grandmother and I are just trying to correct the damage that those morons have done to you over the years."

"There's a lot left to do before we finish the training, how long will I be out of commission?"

"One day for the surgery and Kurama says that depending on what is repaired besides the larynx no more than three days healing. Sound good?" Sakura replied.

Sigh, "I guess, so what else did you find that was wrong baa-chan?"

"Aside from your voice box, your lungs, especially your left are badly damaged and you have only two thirds of your lung capacity as well as your heart. I counted no less than eight scarred over wounds on it, had Kurama not been sealed inside you the first stab would have been fatal. There is also damage and major scarring in your intestines. Face it kid, those idiots did a number on you, you are a very lucky young man that Kurama did all he could to keep you alive. And I don't mean because of the suicide feature of the seal, he could have just done enough to allow you survive but he didn't. If he was outside of you right now I'd hug him," Tsunade said as she teared up thinking what could have happened to her only grandson.

Hearing her words and the emotions in them Kurama began to make his appearance, taking his fox form out of respect to Tsunade's husband Jiraiya. Seeing the Nine Tails Tsunade launched herself at him, glomping on the fox and sobbing into his fur, thanking him over and over for protecting Naruto and Sakura. Kurama on his part just nuzzled her cheek in reply before returning to his seal.

"Baa-chan, Kurama says that your welcome and he cares for us as much as you and Ojii-san," Naruto replied in a serious tone, "So, when do we do this?"

Sakura placed her hand on his shoulder, kissing him on the cheek, "How about in two days? It will give us time to get the OR ready. We can make the clone after you check into the hospital tomorrow afternoon. I'll make sure the kids are with us and Zabuza and Haku can watch over them until we get you home, okay?"

"Fine, let's get this done since if I refuse I'll never hear the end from you or my grandparents," Naruto said in a defeated voice, he know when to pick his battles with his wife and this was one time to concede the win to her.

/

The next morning Naruto and Sakura called a meeting of the genin pool in room 101 as they found their seats the Genin Commander and Tokobetsu Genin stood in front of the classroom waiting for everyone to settle down. Once everyone was seated Naruto spoke up, "Okay, I have a couple of things to discuss and how it affects our training schedule. First off, this afternoon I will be checking into the hospital for surgeries that I've been putting off for some time now. According to Sakura-chan and my grandmother I'll be SIQ (sick in quarters) for the rest of the week. Having said that, for the time being you all will continue to train for the rest of the week and you have the whole weekend off. Iruka-sensei as well as the Jonins will be here to advise and train in our absence."

At this Ino raised her hand, "What needs to be fixed on you Naruto?"

Looking to Sakura he let her answer her friend, "What is said in here is an S class secret so please don't spread it around. As you all know, Naruto had a very hard life before the Third sent us somewhere safe. However, lots of damage was done to my husband before hand. The most pressing is that over Naruto's first six years attempts on his life occurred nearly everyday and ANBU, no matter how vigilant they are will still have a lapse in concentration," at that Kakashi looked down as he remembered all the times he showed up "in the nick of time" to find a battered and bruised Naruto nearly bleeding out.

"The most serious of injuries are to his heart, lungs and intestines. His voice box at this point in time is a mass of scar tissue, it's a miracle that he can speak at all. Even though the fox boosted his Uzumaki healing ability he could only do so much," Sakura explained, "In the morning Lady Tsunade, Shizune-nee and myself will be using a radical procedure to repair and replace the damaged organs," as she spoke she edged closer to Naruto before rubbing his cheek in a loving way and getting lost in his eyes, "By the time we're done I won't be worrying over my husbands health," she finished in a soft voice.

Hearing what had been done to their friend and leader, the class, especially Sasuke, were seething and thinking of making those that mistreated Naruto pay in spades. Naruto, who was also lost in Sakura's eyes felt the spike in killing intent. Turning to the assembled genin he spoke up, "Look, what was done to me happened years ago. I've made my peace with the villagers and they've been trying to atone for their sins so just let it go. Hate breeds more hate and the cycle begins an infinite loop. Now, while I'm happy to know that all of you wish to avenge the wrongs against me just let sleeping dogs lie. Now, should someone do something stupid these days concerning me and my family by all means do your sworn duty to protect your Hokage," he finished with a smirk.

Before the meeting could end Ino asked one last question, how was Sakura and the others going to replace the damaged organs. Sakura smirked and explained that the donor would be a blood clone of Naruto, since it's essentially Naruto down to the genetic level there should not be any rejection. She and Tsunade would be using the equipment that had been sent to their world by the foxes. It was only because of having things like the heart-lung machine, advanced respirators and medical devices that Sakura considered doing something this...ambitious. She also invited all the medical trained genin to observe from the gallery next to the operating theater. Having given the invitation, explained what was going on and letting everyone know that Naruto will be able to have visitors the day after next the meeting broke up.

Sasuke walked up with Ami and looked at Naruto, ever since the incident with his mother's diary Sasuke was always by Naruto's side worrying over him like a duck assed looking mother hen, "Dope, why did you not mention all the attempts to kill you before?"

"It happened so long ago that I honestly forgot, besides, there's no one that's foolish enough to try with you hovering at my side whenever I walk through the village," Naruto explained with a laugh.

"Still, I swear that my clan will see to your safety for as long as there is an Uchiha clan. This is not to make up for what my mother and elders did to you and your family but because you're my first real friend and I see you as a brother and equal."

Naruto saw the look in Sasuke's eyes and at a gut level understood. Nodding he took Sasuke's hand and pulled him into a man hug, "Thank you, you're the first friend I made here since my return, that means a lot to me. I understand your wanting to protect me but please use discretion on who you see fit to punish, not all of the villagers are bad, just the ones that wanted what my folks left me. Sasuke, no revenge in my name, I've forgiven them but don't think I'll forget."

Two days later found the most experienced medical nins, doctors and other medical personnel tending to their young Hokage. So far the operation had gone smoothly, the donor clone had been rendered brain dead the moment it was activated and hooked to the life support machines. The plan was the intestines first, Sakura was still amazed even though she knew about how to heal major wounds with chakra that in her old world would require not only lots of bed rest but massive doses of drugs and antibiotics. Using the mystic palm and chakra scalpels meant that healing was faster, a matter of hours or days, and with less complications. The fact that Kurama was also assisting with Naruto's healing was a great boon as well.

After Naruto's guts had been removed and replaced with the old ones, all of nearly twenty feet, placed in bags for pathology to examine and determine the exact amount of damage, the surgical team moved to Naruto's larynx. That procedure took about 45 minutes as one team removed the donor organ and another removed Naruto's damaged one and prepped his body to receive the new one. Once again with the Legendary Tsunade and her two assistants Sakura and Shizune the operation was a success. Making a tracheotomy incision to relieve the new voice box and allow Kurama to work his magic on it they took a small break.

After downing a couple of sports drinks, an energy bar or two and a soldier pill, Sakura looked up into the gallery and smiled. Not only were her and Tsunade's student medics present but the rest of the post graduate class, the jonin-senseis as well as Iruka-sensei. The only faces she didn't see were her and Naruto's children, Haku and Zabuza as she had barred her and Naruto's three monsters from the gallery. Zabuza and Haku were watching them and would take them to see their father when he was in his room.

Turning back to her husband after re-scrubbing her hands and arms she and her grandmother in law began to prepare her husband's chest for the removal of his left lung. It was decided that they would remove and replace the left lung as it was the most damaged because of it's proximity to the heart. Once Naruto was breathing on that lung then they'd move on to the right lung and repeat the procedure. It was when they got a look at Naruto's heart that the surgical team and those with medical training got a shock.

"My god," Sakura exclaimed as the amount of damage was revealed, "One, two, three, five, seven, eight, ten, twelve? How many times has he been stabbed?" she asked out loud.

"Too many to count vixen, I did my best but like his throat eventually the damage adds up," Kurama replied through her mate mark.

"Tsunade, look at all this, had I not insisted Naruto would have eventually died due to all this damage. No wonder he's been feeling weak this past month, all the stress from training and his duties as commander has taken it's toll," Sakura told her husbands grandmother.

"I agree, I doubt he would have had a even a month," Tsunade replied. Since the operating room was mic'd everyone in the gallery heard all that was said and the all cringed at hearing that they were so close to losing their leader and friend. Tsunade looked at Sakura and continued, "Okay, he's hooked up, turn on the heart-lung machine and get ready to put in his new heart."

"Okay...annnnd heeee's connected, turn it on Shizune," Sakura ordered as she began to start cutting out Naruto's injured heart.

While Naruto had been not only given general anesthesia Sakura asked Haku to use her senbon and place the blond Hokage in a false death state. Even so the galley were on the edge of their seats as Naruto had been under the knife so to speak for the last seven hours and the last step was no underway.

Shizune and her team had already prepared the donor heart and it was ready to be placed in Naruto's body as soon as the old heart was removed. Sakura turned to her adopted big sister and asked for the donor organ as Tsunade removed the gravely damaged one. Gently placing it into her husbands chest Sakura and Tsunade began to make the connections. One by one the aortic artery and other vessels were connected and one by one the two women used their mystic palm technique to seal the connections as Kurama followed with his chakra instantly fusing everything as if Naruto had been born with the new organs.

As Sakura looked at their combined handiwork she turned to the technician, "Okay, lets take him off of the machine and get his heart restarted," Turning to the senbon she began to mutter as she began to remove the color coded needles. Haku had do that so Sakura could remember the sequence they needed to be taken out, Red, Blue, Green White, "Now, lets see, real...big...garden...walls, that should do it, go ahead and start his heart."

Tsunade grabbed the defibrillator paddles and touched them to Naruto, "Right, shocking him...clear"...click-thump. The electrical charge jolted Naruto's body making it jerk enough to jump on the table however the ECG machine just blared it's single note warning tone.

Sakura looked up with her eyes wide, "Tsunade?"

"It...it sometimes take a jolt or two Sakura, you know that, clear"...click-thump... "Nothing, raise the charge fifteen joules, clear!"...click-whump!

"Naruto! No! Come on baby, don't do this to me, please!" Sakura cried out as she began to manually compress his heart.

In the gallery Sasuke turned to Ami, "What's...what's going on? What's the beep mean, Ami? Tell us, what's going on" the Uchiha voice beginning to show signs of panic.

Looking her boyfriend in the eye she gave him and answer he and the others didn't want to hear, "They can't get his heart restarted, that beep means it's not beating. Sasuke, Naruto's dying."

In the blonds mindscape Kurama was in panic mode and was clawing at the modified seal, if he can't get that seal undone at least part way he and the kit are dead. As he was pawing at the paper tag Naruto entered the daemons home.

"Kurama, what's going on? I can hear Sakura-chan crying and begging me to come back to her, what's happening?"

"Your heart is not starting, they're doing all the can but we need to open the seal partway if I even have a chance to save you."

"How much do I..." at that Naruto was interrupted by a piercing scream as Sakura began wailing. Over her cries he heard his grandmother say something that chilled his bones.

"Call it, time of death?" the Hokage regent asked in an emotionless voice.