Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Kaito decided he had stalled long enough and walked through the large double doors of the Academy. Finding a seat, he slunk into it and plopped his head onto the desk. He was not the first one there. Four of his fellow classmates were scattered around the room. Ignoring them, he searched the room for something to occupy his attention.
His energy had worn off a long time ago after his collision with Reiji. He clenched his fist as he thought about him. Looking up, Kaito cursed softly.
Reiji had just strut into the room. Spotting Kaito, Reiji smirked and walked up to him. He slid into the seat next time and began whistling that song that somehow infuriated Kaito. Kaito just glared at Reiji, waiting for the boy to explain himself. Reiji ignored Kaito, and kept whistling, seemingly oblivious to the glare he was receiving.
Kaito could not take it anymore. "What are you doing?" He snapped.
"Hmm?" Reiji looked up in fake puzzlement.
Gritting his teeth, Kaito asked, "Why are you sitting next to me?"
"As much as I hate it, I have to." Reiji replied casually, staring straight ahead, while flipping his cards from hand to hand.
"What are you talking about? Stop being vague, tell me what you mean and leave." Kaito's remaining patience had run thin.
"We're gonna be on the same team, so I might as well sit over here. I don't wanna have to move later."
"What do you mean we're going to be on the same team?! They haven't announced the squads yet." Staring at Reiji's conceited smirk, it hit him. "You stole the records didn't you?"
"I prefer to view it as 'acquiring.'"
"How did you manage it? Wouldn't those files be protected or something?"
"Not really. There wasn't any security at all. Believe it or not, the new Genin squad teams are not of utmost importance to Konoha or its enemies." Reiji rebutted sarcastically.
Kaito sighed. He did not feel like questioning the thief. "So who else is going to be on our team, and who's our instructor?" He may not have liked where the information came from, but he was still curious.
"That would ruin the surprise. Just hold your horses and wait a bit longer. You'll know soon enough."
Kaito scowled. He hated it when this happened. Kaito usually came out on top during most of there verbal clashes, but whenever Reiji knew something important that Kaito did not, he would always lose.
At 7:00, when everyone had finally arrived, Iruka stood up and began speaking.
"Congratulations to all of you. You are now officially ninja. I trust all of you already have your new photo identification cards?" Seeing all the students nod, he continued. "Now, it is time to divide the nine of you into your Genin squads. Since there is an abnormally low number, there shall only be three squads. Airi Gunma, Ouji Niigata and Yuu Iwate are Squad One, under Ino Yamanaka. Gai's current team is squad two, so we'll skip that number." Iruka paused and marked something on his sheet. "All right, Squad Three is Reiji Touzoku, Lola Gonzales and Kaito Uchyuga, under Naruto Uzumaki. The last squad is number four. Eito Saru, Tae Neko and Fuji Minikui, you will be with Kiba Inuzuka."
Some snickers were heard at the final name called. Reiji smirked. "That last team is crap. 'Monkey-Boy' Saru, 'Cat-Chick' Tae and 'Fugly' Fuji together is the perfect recipe for disaster." Kaito snorted and laughed with Reiji, until he realized whose joke it was. Noticing the sudden glare, Reiji rolled his eyes and looked for Lola.
"Are you two Reiji and Kaito?" Lola asked behind them. She's hot, Kaito drooled.
"Looks like Jessica Alba." Reiji whispered to him.
"Who's that?" Kaito whispered back.
"I don't know, but she sounds hot."
"Yes, we are. I'm assuming you are Lola." Reiji answered for both of them, stopping there hidden side conversation. Lola beamed brightly. She went up to each of them and gave them a hug and a kiss on either cheek. This girl was amazing, Kaito thought, as he blushed.
Kaito noticed how well, Reiji was handling everything – not asking any awkward questions or blushing. Therefore, Kaito tried to do the same. "What are you doing here?" There went that plan.
Reiji stared raised his eyebrow at Kaito's out-of-place question. Reiji understood the question, but it was just asked so horribly. Judging from Lola's perplexed expression, it was clear she didn't understand, so he rescued her.
"Sorry, Lola, he means why he's not seen you around much before. She's been here since the week before the tests; remember? Her parents were finally cleared as citizens of Konoha meaning she could officially join our Genin class. Any of this ringing a bell? Iruka explained it all less than a month ago. He doesn't seem to get it Lola; you should explain it all from the beginning."
"You know that last year, the Village in the Mist attacked the Village in the Sun, right?" Seeing his hesitation, she sighed and explained. "The Village Hidden in the Sun was a small ninja village south-west of Fire Country and south-east of Wind Country. Mist attacked it and slaughtered almost everyone. I had been enrolled in the Academy, so when my parents moved here as refugees I just picked up where I left off."
"So that's why your name is funny, you have a weird accent and you had that bizarre greeting." Kaito said, comprehension finally hitting him.
"Sí. Pero, pienso tus nombres son locos." Kaito just stared again. Please tell me I do not have to have a girl who spouts gibberish on my team, He thought.
"That was Spanish, my native language." She explained reading his face. "I was only saying that had you lived in Sun, you too would have a strange sounding name and accent."
He changed his opinion of her. He did not care how beautiful she was, she was starting to bug him – and Reiji. Reiji's bored expression practically screamed that fact.
Kaito rolled his eyes. "Don't preach to me. That's so annoying; I get enough lectures from my parents you don't have to help them out." Kaito said. Reiji desperately tried to hide his snicker. Luckily, Lola did not seem to notice. Either, she was really oblivious or good at hiding her anger.
In actuality, she was horrible at hiding her anger. Luckily, for Reiji it was all focused on Kaito.
"Yo, my brats meet me at the Northern Training Grounds. Y'all better be there in five minutes." A Jonin with a hood yelled out, before he suddenly disappeared.
"Mine go to the Eastern Training Grounds." A blonde kunoichi shouted before she too vanished.
The six Genin in question left the Academy in a hurry.
"Wait! Where is our instructor?" Lola asked. Kaito sighed at the distraction. Not too many moments later a loud crushed resounded throughout the school.
"Errr… Anyone know what that was?" Reiji inquired.
He was answered by a screaming blonde ninja racing into the room. He stopped and panted, perceptibly exhausted. He exhaled deeply before straightening and grinning. "I'm not late!"
"Actually you are. I announced the teams fifteen minutes ago. Keep this up and you'll turn into Kakashi." Iruka said, before he too left the building.
Naruto sighed and turned to look at three pairs of eyes staring blankly at him. He rubbed the back of his head and gave the three a huge grin. "Oops. Oh, well. So you guys are my squad right?" Only three nods answered him. "Well, that's cool. Uh… now what should we do?"
Is this guy for real, Reiji thought. He's pathetic. I bet even Fugly Fuji could beat this loser.
"Oh, right. We should introduce ourselves. I'm Naruto; I like Ramen and I'm gonna be the Hokage someday." Naruto gave the Genin a huge thumb up. "Now, you, in the trench coat, tell us about yourself."
"My name's Reiji Touzoku. I like poker and pretty ladies. I collect various different decks of cards. I've got a huge family that actually originates in another country – I never cared enough to find out which one. We live in New Orleans."
"Where's that? I've never heard of it."
"It's not a ninja village. New Orleans is a civilian city; my family just… oversees it. It's only about twenty minutes for a ninja to get there."
"All right. Do you have anything else to add?" Naruto nodded as he absorbed the information, and asked.
"He forgot that he's a filthy thief." Kaito added, speaking for Reiji. Naruto just raised his eyebrow at the boy.
"Since you're so eager to answer, Kaito, why don't you tell us more about yourself. I already know that you're Sasuke and Hinata's kid, but what else?"
Kaito gasped in surprise. He had never seen this man before, yet he knew who he and his parents were. "Wait, are you that Naruto my dad talks about sometimes?"
"The one and only. As he most likely told you I've been gone for a while, so I haven't really been able to see you."
"Whatever. Beside that, uh…my bloodline is sort of forming. I mean I can kind of sense where people are and things seem to move a little bit slower. It's only a matter of time 'till I get my Bhyaungan." Kaito exclaimed in a falsely cheery voice. He knew that the changes had been so slight he had barely noticed them.
"That's good. Lola, we already met when you moved here, so need to go through that again. All right, since the boring stuff is out of the way, we can do the cool things. Now, normally the next thing that would happen would be a test, to see if you are truly able to become Genin." Ignoring the shocked looks, Naruto continued. "However, because of the few number of Genin that managed to squeak by the exam this year, you all have to pass."
The three sighed in relief. "But, I'm going to do it anyway, just to see what skills you three already have. So get up and get moving. Follow me!"
"What is the exercise, maestro?" Lola asked.
"Me and you guys are–"
"I believe you mean: you three and I." Lola corrected.
"You three and I are going to play a fun little game." Naruto said patiently, showing no signs of irritation at being interrupted. "See these?" he asked holding up two shiny bells. After seeing three nods, he continued. "You're job is to try and get these bells from me."
No problem. My dad always talked about dead last. This guy must be him. This'll be too easy.
After seeing this guy smash through the academy,, it shouldn't be that hard. However, I doubt it was fluke becoming a Jonin. I'll have to be careful. Reiji contemplated. Either way, there has to be more to it than this.
"What's the catch?" Reiji asked.
Naruto smiled and shook his head. "Lucky for you, there is no catch – when I did this, the two that could get a bell were the only ones allowed to pass. Without motivation, though, this'll be boring. So, the one or ones who don't get a bell, has to repair and clean the Academy, this evening."
Repair and clean his mess, he means. Reiji thought, scowling. I won't lose.
"Everyone ready? Good. Go!"
Three forms dashed into the trees.
At least, they know how to hide. Naruto mused. I can still find them, but after that meeting the Jonin had, I thought they would all trip over their own feet.
Naruto yawned and put his hands in his pockets, choosing to stand under one of the bigger trees.
"HA! GOTCHA!" Kaito yelled, as he dropped from the tree kicking at his sensei.
Just as I thought, Kaito is overly confident and predictable. That's a dangerous combination.
All the teacher did was move his head slowly, to let the kick fly past. Kaito recovered quickly, spinning around and launching a sloppy punch at Naruto. Again, Naruto casually sidestepped – hands still in his pocket. When, Kaito had almost passed him, Naruto brought his knee up forcefully.
Kaito rolled to the side, down on his hands and knees, and spat blood out, feeling more dribble down his chin. He turned and glared, gritting his bloody teeth.
"All right, time to end this." Kaito yelled. He leapt up and began a jutsu. Naruto blinked, in surprise, as he recognized the hand-signs Kaito was performing. Impressive. I didn't think these kids were skilled, enough to use that, he contemplated.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Kaito inhaled, ready to blow out a huge stream of fire. Suddenly, he started sputtering and coughing, falling back to his hands and knees. Smoke began pouring out of his mouth, as he struggled to breathe.
Watching the spectacle, not knowing what to do Naruto asked, "Um…are you okay?" He scratched the back of his head confused.
"Oh, god." Kaito croaked. "I think I burnt my lungs. I'm-" Another cough jolted his entire body. "I'm fine. Just give me a minute." He said wearily.
Forget what I thought earlier. They are bad.
That was pathetic. Funny, but pathetic. Reiji thought. He did give me an opportunity, though. What do you know, that pest did something right, for once.
Kaito had almost recovered when he felt a Kunai whiz by him. "Jesus Christ! Where the hell did that come from?" He yelled, wondering who was throwing them at him. A split second later, he realized Naruto was the target of all four – one had just missed - terribly. Immediately the first four finished their flight, hundreds more shot out of the surrounding forest, coming every direction.
Naruto dodged all easily. Effortlessly, moving as little as possible, Naruto was never even close to being hit. Kaito was not so fortunate. The Genin scrambled in every direction, trying to avoid the never-ending torrent of throwing weapons: shuriken and kunai. Frantically dashing towards the edge of clearing, he was dismayed to learn that Naruto was sticking with him, keeping Kaito in the thick of the fray.
Interesting. Reiji is bouncing the butt ends of the kunai off the surrounding trees. While it does make him harder to find, – since the angle of the throw coming toward the target is misleading – it also, greatly lowers the accuracy of the weapons. In order to make up for that, he throws as many as possible at once. That would be fine, except, that one of his squad members is right next to me, Naruto mused.
"STOP! I'M DOWN HERE, TOO!" Kaito shouted, waving his hands to make sure the person saw him. He immediately ducked when a shuriken flew over him, and sprinted towards his safety, again.
"REIJI, YOU'RE A BASTARD! I KNOW IT'S YOU, SO QUIT IT!"
Naruto seemed oblivious to the conflict only moving when necessary, maintaining his bored expression. Reiji saw this and increased his effort, desperate to hit his instructor. He could not let Kaito leave either. Naruto seemed to be sticking with him for some reason, so Kaito had to stay out there, too – for the greater good of course.
Kaito was almost home free. There were only a few more yards left to go, when, suddenly, an explosion rocked the ground in front of Naruto and him. Naruto, skipped backwards, avoiding the blast. However, Kaito was thrown sideways into the lake – dazed. His mind was so numb, he could barely move.
Naruto finally moved his hands from his pockets. He jumped towards Kaito, intending to save him from drowning.
Reiji smirked. Everything was going right as plan. As soon as the explosion had gone off, he threw three kunai at Kaito, knowing his sensei would end up over there. As he watched, the kunai speed toward their target, he dropped to the ground ready to retrieve his bell.
All Naruto did, however, was spin his body face up, parallel to the water. He kicked the first kunai over him, twisted to avoid the second one, and caught the final one, throwing it back with one hand. With his other hand, he picked Kaito up as he passed over the boy. After grabbing Kaito, he flipped in mid-air and landed on top of the water.
Reiji widened his eyes. He had underestimated the man, and it had cost him. He started to run back into the woods to try again, but before he had taken his second step, everything went dark.
Lola had seen it all. Reiji and Kaito had been taken down easily. Naruto, with Kaito slung over, one shoulder had appeared right behind Reiji and knocked him unconscious with a strike to the back of the head. Her instructor, then, moved them both to the middle of the clearing and laid them down face up on the soft grass.
Slinking father into the little foxhole that she had found, she desperately hoped he would not find her. She watched as Naruto sighed and cracked his neck. Gasping, she saw him disappear and looked around anxiously, trying to find him.
"Are you gonna hide in their all day, or come out and fight me?" She did not respond. Instead, she gulped and climbed out of her little hideaway.
Turning, she saw him. His hands were back in his pockets, and he smiled gently at her – trying to put her at ease. "I can't beat you in hand to hand combat and I don't have any special jutsu, except one." She replied glumly.
"Well, just, use that one."
"But it's horrible. It barely does anything."
"I'll be the judge of that. Besides, I could care less if it's crap."
"The phrase actually is 'I couldn't care less,' because if you could care less than that means you care at least a little bit…" Seeing his bored expression, she continued with the former topic. "All right, I'll try it."
After pausing and taking a deep breath she yelled, "Solar Flare!" while using a strange hand-sign. Both her hands were fully flexed and held in front of her face.
A bright light flashed around her, for a second. Unfortunately, it was not nearly bright enough. It only forced Naruto to squint a little to look at her.
"You were right, that did suck." Naruto said bluntly. Noticing her crestfallen expression, he quickly added, "But if it was dark, I'm sure it would have been a whole lot more devastating. I mean, train with that some more and it could be pretty handy in a tight spot."
"You really mean it. This could be an amazing jutsu?"
Definitely, no time soon. "Oh, yeah. It's only a matter of time." He said with a cheesy, big grin – obviously fake. She did not notice however, so Naruto continued. "For now, just go wake those two up. It's time for us to have a little chat."
When the three of them were awake, Naruto asked a question. "What was the point of this exercise?"
Silence was all that greeted him. Reiji was sulking, upset that he lost; Kaito was exhausted and still a little woozy from his messed up jutsu and nearly drowning; while, Lola, was lost deep in thought over how to improve her dismal performance.
Not feeling like having to coax an answer out of them, he just told them. "Teamwork." Reiji flinched; he knew he had not been the epitome of a team player during this little activity. "Frankly, you were all horrible."
"Lola," he said, turning to stare at the girl, "you just hid in your little hole, while Kaito was pounded into the ground, and only when I forced you to come out were you willing to attempt to fight. Had this been a real mission, the enemies would have killed you while you thought you were hidden away." Reiji glared at the girl. He did not tolerate cowards.
Naruto turned toward the Uchyuga. "Kaito, you rushed in blindly without planning with your teammates – or any plan whatsoever, for that matter. Then you tried to push your limits, by attempting a jutsu you've never successfully used before in a combat situation. Never, try new things in a life or death situation. It will usually result in your death."
Finally, Naruto glared at Reiji. "You were by far the worst. You threw weapons at me without any regard for Kaito, who was obviously too close to me to allow for a safe throw – at your level, at least. Then, you decided that accidentally almost hitting him wasn't enough and aimed, that explosive card right in his path – not mine. It gets worse, though, when you blew him into the water, you used him as bait. If I hadn't taken gone in to help Kaito, he would have died!" At the end of his lecture, Naruto was seething.
Naruto took several deep, calming breaths, before he began again. "Someone once told me, that those who broke the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse then scum. Now, apologize."
"Sorry, Kaito." Reiji muttered.
"Hmm… look at that. I still have both bells. Guess, that means all three of you lost. Have fun fixing up the Academy. Meet me their tomorrow morning. Now, you guys are dismissed." Naruto was gone in a flash.
I was not really that happy with that chapter, but I don't care. If it's really bad, I'll just repost it later.
Just because I used New Orleans as a place, does not mean I've forsaken the Naruto Continent. It's still the same as the show's geography only this city thrown in. New Orleans is, however, exactly like its counterpart, before Katrina. If you have never been to Cajun Country you should; it is a cool place.
I lied, again. For any Gaara lovers out there, he is definitely in the next chapter. These parts in here, just took precedence, that's all.
If you don't find Lola annoying, then I'm not trying hard enough.
I realize I 'borrowed' another idea: the solar flare. Except, that it is a much weaker version. I just thought that since Lola was from the Sun Village, that would be a good power for her. I guess I need to say I do not own Dragon Ball either.
For those of you who thought that I was kidding about how bad these kids are supposed to be, I hope this proves that I was truthful, for once.
Maestro means teacher in Spanish if you did not already know that.