Chapter 17: Another Bell Test
Authors Notes: Okay, here we are at about the part where I stopped reading the Boro-dumb manga. Yep, I stopped exactly at this point when they took the bell test and Sarada took both bells on her own as I recall. Some have criticized the characters of that abomination for being repeats of their parents before them. I prefer not to make the same mistake so I will ask for suggestions to make them their own characters and not just rip offs. I've already started with some deriving, I think. But its still early so we can probably still salvage this. Any suggestions are appreciated in the reviews. So, I'm definitely not gonna make the kids prodigies like they seemed to be in… blah! I'll have them struggle maybe and have weaknesses if I can manage. Orenjii is similar to Naruto in personality but smarter then his father at that age since he has Sakura to keep him in line. His sister could probably do the same, she might already as I recall they fought. Been a while so sometimes these things slip my mind. I'll have to reread the story at some point and edit them. Still in the process of developing these characters to be as fleshed out as possible. There will be some history repeating itself for this chapter most likely.
Heads up, I will soon be able to go back to updating this story every two weeks or so.
Reviews:
HyperPanda101: Seyatsu is a boy. I will be going over all the chapters sooner or later and do some editing. And most likely yes, but as I said I am probably gonna end it after the Chunin Exams section of this story when Indra makes his move.
Lenoravampire1: Glad you like it.
Lastly, hit me up with your suggestions in the comments on what kind of missions the kids can do. I seriously doubt they'll be as unlucky as their fathers and mother to run into a rogue ninja early on. That would probably be too much repeating history. Maybe just some ordinary thugs or something will do. Maybe things can go a little slower for them.
Okay now we can get on with it.
The new squads of aspiring Shinobi returned to the Academy the next day to be collected by their sensei's. Seyatsu had his new tanto on his back, while Kasumi had a small purse on her desk. It read Shinobi Beauty Kit on the front. Kasumi liked to look her best whenever possible and was currently painting her nails red. She kept her blue jacket on to match her headband the bottom section of her short dress visible above the knees. Her brother still wore his usual outfit, a purple jacket with blue sweatpants which he looked good in (she only admitted that cause she helped pick out those clothes a few months ago). Of the two Uzumaki Siblings, Kasumi was the smarter in both school and fashion. Soon the door opened and a certain jonin with a blue scarf and spiky brown hair emerged.
"I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi! Here for Squad 17!" Konohamaru said.
"That's us!" Kasumi stated excitedly. "Come on Seyatsu! Orenjii!"
The daughter of the Seventh Hokage looked back at her twin and the Uchiha Heir. Seyatsu got up with a small smile, while Orenjii frowned. He looked back at his best friend, Shikanamu. They shared a glance. Orenjii secretly wished he'd been put on another team rather then the same one as his sister and her crush/rival. Konohamaru lead them to the roof of the Academy where their parents had all gathered with their sensei years ago.
"Well I guess we might as well introduce ourselves," Konohamaru said looking at his Genin. "I want to get to know all of you a bit better. What are your hobbies, likes and dislikes, and your dreams for the future."
Though he sometimes saw them with their parents a couple he didn't truly know them as more then the children of the three Legendary Sanin.
"I guess I should start out. I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi, grandson of the Third Hokage and now an elite Jonin of the Hidden Leaf Village. I like being acknowledged for who I am and not just for who I am related to. I dislike lazy people who aren't willing to put in hard work and just want to take shortcuts to becoming powerful or doing something treacherous for their own gain."
The image of Orochimaru came into his mind. The man had killed his grandfather, and used forbidden jutsu with selfish motives to become immortal.
"My hobbies are spending time with my friends and training. My dream for the future is to someday become strong enough to be Hokage. If I can't do that then I'll just be the best Jonin I can be to Honor my grandfather's legacy!"
It was Kasumi's turn now, "I'm Kasumi Uzuamaki, I like studying, getting good grades, pleasing my parents, looking good, and-"
She looked at Seyatsu for a moment with a blush. "And having someone to compete with! I dislike dummies or lazy bums who don't put in effort. My hobbies are reading and being with my family, and my dream is to become the Hokage like my father!"
Konohamaru grinned at that. "Well, I guess that makes us rivals then! We'll see if I can beat you to becoming Hokage! Okay red your turn."
Orenjii frowned at the pun on his red hair. "Okay, I'm her twin brother Orenjii Uzumaki. I like ramen, having fun, sometimes just doing nothing, and animals. I dislike demanding divas, reading, and tests."
He and Kasumi glared at each other. Well, that showed a bit of sibling animosity in there but that was to be expected. Konohomaru had seen a few Shinobi siblings in his career, and they had mixed results. They could make a powerful combination if they worked well together, but if they didn't get along it could get in the way. Konoharu just hoped this turned out to be a good one.
Last was Seyatsu. "I'm Seyatsu Uchiha. I like "
He trailed off, the shyness he'd gotten from his mother holding him back a bit. "Uh… I like adventures, competition, and family. I dislike people who treat others poorly for no reason."
His mind wandered back to some of the early days, he was walking around the village with his father. As they walked the streets Seyatsu noticed several villagers glaring at them. They said nothing but the air seemed to be thick with hostility. Seyatsu could sense it when he and his father walked. Not every villager did it, but enough that it was noticeable.
"My hobbies are meditation and running, and my dream for the future… well… I'm not sure."
Hmm. Guess we don't all know what we want sometimes. Konohamaru thought.
"Okay, so we'll be going through a survival test tomorrow," Konohamaru said. "You know that just because you graduated from the academy doesn't make you full ninja. Only nine of the current class will move forward."
"Right," Kasumi said.
Team 17 walked off and made their way home for a while.
"You think he'll have us take the exact same sort of exam he made our parents do when they took theirs?" Seyatsu asked.
"If it's the bell test maybe. Mom said their sensei pitted them against each other by having only two bells so only two could keep them. He had to test their ability to work together and put their differences aside."
"Ha, like that will ever happen between you and me Sis!" Orenjii said.
"Uh if you guys want to pass you should learn to get along," Seyatsu said.
"Yeah, you're right," Kasumi said.
Orenjii just frowned.
…
History continued to repeat itself for the Uzumaki Twins and the Uchiha Heir as they met at the training field in the morning. Though unlike with their parents, their sensei was on time at least. Kasumi had asked Sakura for all the details of what her early years as a genin were like and Sakura had spent over an hour telling her. It had been a unique one, being put on the same squad as the boy of her dreams (though she'd thought it was Sasuke and not Naruto). They'd gone on an A class mission pretty early and emerged victorious. Then they went through the Chunin Exams which intense and the Sand and Orochimaru had attacked. Then Sasuke left the village and her father left with Jiraiya to train while Sakura stayed to train with Tsunade.
They gathered at the area near the three pillars. It was still very early in the morning and they hadn't eaten breakfast yet. Good thing they wouldn't feel it for a few hours. But hopefully by then this would all be over. The Uzumaki Twins had set their alarm for 4:30 am and Kasumi had gotten up, dragging her brother out of his room and they'd taken quick showers, gotten dressed and put their backpacks on then met Seyatsu on the path. Only a moment passed until Konohamaru appeared.
They faced their sensei who reached into his pocket and drew a pair of silver bells.
"Well here is your target!" Konohamaru said with a grin.
"Bells?" Orenjii asked.
"What are they for?" Seyatsu asked.
"Let me guess, you're gonna try and pit us against each other to teach us teamwork?" Kasumi asked.
Konohamaru sweat dropped. "How did you know that?"
"I asked my mother about her early days as a genin and she told me she had the same thing happen to her."
Konohamaru sighed. "I guess I should have figured someone would kill the surprise."
"So we just have to work together to get them and we win?" Kasumi said. Hehe that should be easy.
"Yeah right, I can do this all on my own!" Orenjii said aloud. "I don't need any help from you guys!"
Kasumi was ready to face palm. Of course her brother was too prideful to work with her. Orenjii rushed in his fists raised but Konohamaru easily took him down with a single blow.
"Ut ut ah! I didn't say go yet," the Sensei said. "Now you are free to use shuriken and kunai against me."
That made the kids a little uneasy but even so they were confident a Jonin could handle genin like them. They had to move as if they intended to kill him.
They know the purpose of this test now, Konohamaru thought. I'll have to work a little harder to divide them. But with Kasumi and Orenji it shouldn't be too hard.
"Alright, go!" Konohamaru shouted.
Before they could though, he crossed his pointer and middle finger on both hands. "Shadow clone Jutsu!"
Three Shadow Clones appeared, each going after a genin that had just charged. Kasumi had hoped to work in conjunction with her brother who was being stubborn and not accepting her help or logic. Seyatsu followed her lead. They all found themselves blocked by a Shadowclone. The real Konohamaru meanwhile leapt away into the cover of the forest. As he did so though, he knew that one of them would find him very easily with a certain technique.
…
The three Shadow clones easily held off the three Genin for a time. Their taijutsu wasn't strong enough to take down a Jonin of Konohamaru's caliber. He might not have been on Kage Level, but he was a high level Jonin nonetheless.
Kasumi threw everything she had at the clone she was battling and was knocked back off her feet. Drawing her kunai and shuriken she threw them at Konohamaru.
After she was fended off for the third time, Kasumi snarled and formed a fist. She let out a yell of frustration and pounded the ground, her fist full of chakra. She struck with enough strength to crack the land, and cause all three of the Shadow Clones to pop.
Her teammates lost their balance but were just out range. She huffed and stepped forward.
"Alright, follow my lead!"
She had to take charge and be the one to lead her team. Or her brother would-
"No way! I'm not taking orders from you sis!"
"I'm the smart one here Orenjii!" Kasumi said, her little remaining patience wavering.
"Just cause your smarter doesn't mean you're stronger! I don't need your help! I'm gonna get a bell on my own!" Orenjii said as he leapt after Konohamaru.
Kasumi just sighed. Her brother was such an idiot like their father before him. She took off after him and soon caught up. She raised a fist, ready to hit her brother for running in recklessly. But before she could do it, Orenjii suddenly was lifted into the air by a rope trap. He yelled out as he was pulled up and thrashed about for a moment.
"Hey! What gives?"
Kasumi giggled. She knew something like that would happen. "Looks like the Hokage's son got trapped while his daughter didn't!"
"Shut up Kasumi!" Orenji shouted. "Let me down!"
"Hmm, I don't know. You just told me to shut up," Kasumi said with a grin. "I think I'll just leave you hanging there for a while. Quite literally!"
She giggled once again as Seyatsu caught up with them. He looked at Orenji trapped in the tree.
"Ah come sis I'm sorry!" Orenjii said.
She sighed. Every instinct in her screamed to just leave him there. But her father's words echoed in her mind.
Those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their friends, are worse than scum.
She drew her Kunai knife and cut the rope. Her brother landed on his head and made a pained, "Ouch!"
"Hmph! Well, that's probably good enough as a conk on the head!" Kasumi said. "Alright we need to find Konohamaru Sense and get those bells!"
"What about the one who doesn't get a bell, there's only two of them after all?" Seyatsu said.
Unlike Kasumi, Seyatsu's parents hadn't told him about the bell test. Hinata hadn't taken it when she became a Genin and done a different test instead while Sasuke didn't talk much about his past.
"My mom took this test years when she, our father, and Uncle Sasuke were all put on the same team," Kasumi said. "It's designed to divide us up. The Jonin lie about only two people being able to graduate by taking the bells. But since I know that information beforehand that negates the trick. Three of us so only two of can keep the bells. Think of it this way, whoever manages to get a bell will be the two strongest members of our squad after the sensei! And the last one is last place! That'll probably be you Orenjii!"
"Hey, are you trying to help me or insult me?" Her redhaired brother asked.
"A bit of both!" she teased with a wink. "But if you really want to show you're the best of us and worthy of being the son of the Hokage rather then a lazy Nara clan friend… I'd welcome you to join us! But only if you admit you can't do it on your own"
He gritted his teeth at her. "Alright fine! I can't do it on my own!"
She smirked then turned to their Uchiha teammate. "Alright, Seyatsu can you use your Byakugan to look around."
"Yeah, Byakugan!"
Unlike full Hyugga clan members, Seyatsu could only use the Byakugan in one eye. His left eye. Veins appeared around it as chakra fluxed. His right eye should contain a Sharingan on his father's Uchiha side. But it had yet to manifest itself. He covered the right eye to focus through his left with the Byakugan. Coming from only one eye he could only see half as well, but still behind him as well as in front. His right side was completely dark. He turned around to compensate for this, and saw-
"It looks like he's made several shadow clones to protect himself. I can't tell which one the real one is his chakra is evenly distributed. But there is one at the very back on top of a cut down tree that the others are guarding."
"That's gotta be him!" Kasumi said.
"Well I see we go for it!" Orenjii said. "He's not the only one that can use Shadow Clones!"
He put his hands together and formed the same hand sign they'd seen earlier. A large number of clones appeared. Kasumi smiled, then an idea formed in her mind.
…
Konohamaru waited on a broken down tree, the bells in his hands. Six Shadow Clones guarded him. Then the sound of many footsteps filled his ears. He looked and saw a large number of his students all coming in. Multiple Kasumis, Orenjiis and Seyatsus ran toward him. Whoa! Either all of them knew Shadow Clones or one of them had transformed to look like the others. Were the real ones in there or was this just a distraction? Could be both? The Seyatsus drew their tantos with their right hand and held their free palms ready. Sasuke's sword and Hinata's gentle fist skills, that could be a deadly combo. Then there was whichever did Shadow Clones like Naruto, most likely Orenjii. Then Kasumi had her mothers immense strength and smarts. She'd already passed the first part of the test to get teamwork. Konohamaru would probably let them through for that as it was the main point to get them to band together but if they could get the bells. He'd just see.
The clones on both sides began to battle. Each of his six clones had six of their opponents to deal with. That evened the playing field ever so slightly in the Genin's favor.
But then another person appeared, Seyatsu! Was he the real one? He began weaving hand signs, Konohamaru caught a glimpse of the Tiger Seal. Fire Jutsu?
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
The main Jutsu of his father's clan rolled out and hit both sets of clones before continuing on toward Konohamaru who leapt back to avoid it. But as he did he felt someone swoop at him from behind and felt a set of tugs in his hand. The bells were gone!
"Got em!" The Uzumaki Twins said as they each held a bell like their parents.
Konohamaru was stunned. They'd managed to get the best of him. Ah well, he'd held back anyway. He smiled after a moment.
"Good job, you all pass!"
"Wahoo!" Orenjii said.
They ate the food that Konohamaru had brought for breakfast or lunch and Orenjii began rubbing it in Seyatsu's face.
"Looks like you're the weakest one on the squad! Uchiha!"
"He was the distraction," Kasumi stated as she chewed her food. "The plan just worked in your favor!"
Orenjii scoffed. "Well, I guess it was a team effort."
Konohamaru smiled at his students. This was just the beginning for them, and they would face many enemies in the future most likely. Though hopefully less than their parents had.
"Your parents taught you well," he said.
…
From the shadows of the trees a certain figure watched them from afar with his Rinnegan. Indra Otsutsuki, still in Ranzo Shimura's body.
"I think the time for my new vessel is fast approaching, but I first I will need to visit an old associate of my current vessels father."
And he teleported off. He'd go and seek Orochimaru. Perhaps he could convince the snake Sannin to ally with him? It might be worth a try. But he would have to be careful so as to not reveal anything should the snake betray him to his brother's reincarnation and that of his own that had betrayed his legacy.
Okay. Bell Test done and Indra is gonna seek out Orochimaru. What will come of this?