Chapter 3

He didn't have much time to think on the circumstances that just occurred. "As her friend I'm supposed to watch over Miko, protect her,… how am I going to do that now?" The life of a ninja is dangerous, and many friends die… He knew this. Still he felt obligated to protect the ones closest to him.

Finally stopping at a room, the sign above the door reading 8, Flael walked inside as Nyke followed. There was a weird smell in the air, like ramen. Looking to his right Flael examined a young ninja. His hair was brown, spiky and he wore a tan, zipped-up jacket, the ordinary Uzumaha Shinobi vest with black pants and boots. A long dark orange scarf draped across both his shoulders.

"You two must be Flael and Nyke." Giving them no time to respond he continued, "I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi, your Jonin Sensei. As one of the greatest ninjas of this age you've probably heard of me!" Konohamaru eyed the two of them, a bowl of ramen was in his hands.

It was true, they had heard of Konohamaru Sarutobi. How he was the Uzukage's apprentice and the late 3rd Hokage's grandson. They also heard he was skilled, he had to be, being a Jonin at only 18. Flael wondered what the Uzukage had taught him.

"This is Toshiro Hatake." Flael looked over to the boy sitting down at a desk. His spiky, white hair glimmered in the light. He remained quiet, keeping a serious face. "How about you two sit down", Konohamaru directed them seats next to Toshiro, Flael sitting beside him, now in between him and Nyke. None looked at each other. "You three are probably wondering why you were placed in teams together. As for that I really don't know either. But what I do know is that we'll be working as a team from now on. Since it's our first day I'd like to start with introductions. I'll go first. My name is Konohamaru Sarutobi. I was raised in this village and have been a ninja since before and after the war. I became a Genin at twelve, Chunin at 13, and Jonin at 16. I'm apprentice to the current Uzukage, and grandson of the 3rd Hokage. And my dream is to become the 2nd Uzukage one day. Oh and I'm looking forward to further instructing you all in the Shinobi arts. Now… what about you, Flael?"

Caught off guard Flael stated, "My name is Flael Renzagi, age 11. I was born in Uzumahagakure, although my family were refugees during the war. I'm pretty good with ninjutsu and taijutsu and I don't really like genjutsu. And my dream is to become a great Shinobi so I can protect the ones I care about…" Flael saw Konohamaru smile.

"I'm Nyke Yusuke, soon to be known as The Rock of Uzumaha. Like Flael I'm 11, and I specialize in ninjutsu and taijutsu. Both me and my family were born here and I come from a long line of warriors. My favorite books are the Icha Icha series and my favorite ninja is the Great Sage Jiraiya. My dream is to become a feared and respected Shinobi and to one day for someone to right a book about me.

Turning Flael looked at Toshiro. His eyes were light green and his face was thin, almost pale. Like Flael a sheathed katana was strapped to his back. "My name's Toshiro Hatake, son of Kakashi Hatake, and grandson of Sakumo Hatake. I'm also 11 years old. My family has always been here and we've all been ninja. I'm proficient in all forms of the Shinobi arts. My ambition is to protect Uzumahagakure and like my father become a great ninja."

With introductions finally complete Konohamaru ate the last of his ramen then said, "Great! Now since that's done we can get on to the fun part! If you all didn't know, there is still one more test to decide if you should really be allowed the rank of genin. One final test. For this test I'll be able to efficiently see how skilled you all are. The rules are going to be simple. I'm going to take on the 3 of you all at the same time. The only thing you have to do is manage to get my scarf from my neck. During our battle I'll be able to get a feel of how I should regard you when we're against enemy Shinobi. You all will have the rest of the day to do it. You all may think this will be an easy assignment but I trust you all know if you come at me with anything less than the intent to kill… you will fail." Konohamaru's face hadn't changed much since beginning his instructions to ending them. Putting his bowl down he surveyed them with brown eyes.

"Now, let us head to the training grounds! Follow Me!" Konohamaru left the room and the three genin simultaneously followed.

Flael hadn't known it but for a while he'd been tense. His body felt weird and his head was hot, he was nervous… No one made a sound Konohamaru led them from the academy to outside. Breaking the silence Flael asked, "Sensei… do any of the other teams have similar tests as us?"

"Actually it differs from Jonin to Jonin. You're lucky you got me and not Shikamaru…"

"Tcht…" Flael began to wonder what Team 7's test was. Flael heard Shikamaru had a genius level I.Q. Flael wondered could anything he assign be passed. Now he felt even more sorry for Miko.

Walking West of the village they came to a large forest area surrounded by a large fence. Academy students weren't allowed here so this was the Genins' first time. Opening the fence' door they continued inside. Konohamaru closed the door behind them then continued walking to the where the trees grew profoundly. It was silent except for the chirping birds. Sunlight was emitted past the trees in numerous spots illuminating the ground. The sun was high in the sky so it was still warm.

Konohamaru finally turned around facing them. "Ok you three. Remember your goal and my advice."

Flael clinched both his fists and shifted his right leg, broadening his stance. Out his peripheral vision he noticed Nyke and Toshiro make similar movements.

"Now on your march… Get Set… Go!" With a burst of speed Konohamaru turned, sprinting ahead of them. Now it was on!

Immediately the three boys took to the trees hoping to get the advantage of the higher ground and together raced, jumping from the branches. Flael was in the lead between the 3 with Toshiro slightly behind in a couple trees to his right. Nyke was directly behind Toshiro. Konohamaru wasn't that far ahead of them in fact Flael saw his scarf, their goal, flailing in the wind.

Jumping high into the air Flael pulled 5 shuriken from his pouch and threw them at the running Jonin. They cut threw the air precisely towards the Jonin's back. With a quick turn Konohamaru summoned a kunai and efficiently deflected the projectiles, now running backwards he smiled and turned around.

Landing on a tree branch, Toshiro dashed under him, Nyke following in pursuit. He body flickered up beside Toshiro who for the first time looked at him.

"Let's engage him together" Flael told him.

"I'll back you two up!" Nyke shouted from behind.

Toshiro made an approving nod then swiftly moved ahead. Flael just as swift moved up. Now they both overlooked the Jonin right below them. Forming hand seals Nyke jumped in the air shouting, "Water Release: Ice Barrage!" Following the command Toshiro jumped through the air holding a circled hand to his mouth and blew. Originating from his mouth came a stream of water that when hit the ground instantly formed clear, solid ice, freezing everything it touched. Instantly Flael noticed Toshiro wasn't aiming for Konohamaru but ahead of him. Flael jumped ahead as the jonin finally came to a halt.

The area in front of Konohamaru was frozen over completely and Flael stood gazing above him in a tree. He heard Toshiro land behind him. Konohamaru couldn't help but to smile. "Guess it can't be helped." As he thought his next move Konohamaru could barely believe that this young genin created a water source from thin air… just like the 2nd Hokage could.

The three of them stood for a while in silence. With a quick leap into the air Konohamaru threw a shuriken at Flael, which he dodged, then moved right only to have Toshiro Body Flicker in front of him. "He can Body Flicker too huh? …Definitely a Hatake!", Konohamaru thought to himself. Toshiro dashed at him with a turning kick. Konohamaru caught the heel of his foot with one hand. Caught in the air Toshiro planted a hand to the ground and kicked forward underneath with his free leg aiming for Konohamaru's gut. This leg was now grabbed, now having both legs caught Toshiro was thrown in the other direction. As Toshiro was flung the other way Flael jumped down with punch causing Konohamaru to dash backward. Running forward Flael rolled onto his hands, propelling himself in the air he twisted his body attempting to mask his intentional movements and brought a kick downward that was blocked with a forearm. Suddenly Flael swung a fist at the Jonin, again blocked. With both of Konohamaru's hands preoccupied at the moment Flael attempted to use his free hand to pull the scarf from Konohamaru's neck. Before he could fully reach the scarf a kick came towards his face that he blocked with his one free arm and was thrust away. "These two are something else", though Konohamaru when suddenly he heard from above, "Earth Release: Mud Slide!". He looked up seeing Nyke slam his fist into the tree next to him causing a thick flow of muddy liquid to emit from the tree towards Konohamaru. "This is getting ridiculous!!"

Konohamaru jumped backward as the flow of mud gushed after him and landed on the base of a behind tree. He grabbed a branch and pulled himself onto it, standing he was amazed as all three of the young Genin rushed towards him from the trees they were positioned on. Flael in the middle, Nyke to his left, and Toshiro to his right. He made a quick decision. He summoned three Shadow Clones. Having the shadow clone closest grab his wrist and swing him he immediately met Flael mid-air pulling a kunai from his pouch. The blonde haired Shinobi pulled the katana from his back and met his sensei's kunai, resounding the sound of clashing metal. The shadow clone he'd just used to swing himself poofed into the air. Pushing the boy back with a flurry of slashes, purposely not hitting any open spots, they landed in a tree. Provoking the boy to block he broke his guard down and swiftly kicked the boy in the chest sending him flying threw the air, landing crumpled on another tree. Konohamaru looked back as he saw both Toshiro and Nyke courageously fighting the clones then finally overcome. Nyke had been knocked unconscious while Toshiro had fallen into a trap and now had wire wound around his entire body. Now a single clone held Toshiro in arm, and Nyke over a shoulder.

"Damn!", Flael said as he saw his two teammates beaten. He rose from the branch, now standing. Looking at Konohamaru he saw him smile and say, "Give up. You all lost…".

"Yea right!", Flael heard himself say. He figured the only way they could succeed now was to knock Konohamaru unconscious and then remove him of the scarf. This or they went back to being Academy Students…

Flael sheathed his katana. "Good of time as any", he thought. Flael brought a fist up with his right hand began to gather chakra. Holding it there he summoned raw chakra with his left. Sparks began to flicker from his left hand that eventually became lightning. It always tingled… Moving his left hand over to his right Flael spun the lightning around his right fist. Circling the fist brought about lightning that now bounced violently around the fist. Removing his left hand he positioned his right arm at an arc.

"This kid is something else…", Konohamaru thought amazed at the view. "That's definitely not the chidori…" He saw the boy look directly at him and knew what was coming. A small laugh escaped him. "Can't believe this…"

Flael jumped forward with great speed directly at Konohamaru. Quickly Konohamaru brought forth the famed rasengan, holding it with his right hand. Bringing it forward it was met as Flael strongly brought down the fist of lightning. A loud crash of lightning and wind was heard threw out the forest. Flael was suspended in air still, the force from the two spheres not allowing him to come down. Konohamaru stood on the branch still. Flael grabbed his right arm as he pushed and used all his strength. Konohamaru felt the branch he was on beginning to break. He had to end this! Like Flael he pushed forward. Flael finally felt his arm giving way and knew defeat was imminent. "Damn!" As Flael's lightning died down he had one last hope. With all of the minor strength he had left he reached over the two spheres scorching his arm. Clinching his teeth in agony he reached forward and grabbed the cloth he so longed for now. "Now …to pull it… off!" Flael's lightning finally subsided as he yelled in agony and was blown away. …His hand had let go of the scarf and he lost consciousness. Flying through tree branches, breaking them, he was caught by Konohamaru who had Body Flickered to him. The boy lay motionless in his arms. His breathing was slow and his left arm had been severely singed. Breathing heavily Konohamaru looked back at his clone who also looked taken aback. The young Toshiro in his arms, tied in wire, looked on, eyes completely open in astonishment.