Naruto: A Rift in Time
By: Arthemis N. Remison
- CHAPTER 3: AND SO IT BEGINS -
The years passed… and soon it became time for the generation of time travelers to graduate from ninja school. Having a brother this time around, Sasuke grew friendlier towards Konoha, towards his companions and towards his best friend. But as time can tell, some things never change. Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino were still fighting over who would win the heart of the still silent and moody Uchiha. Naruto found himself every day after that meeting visiting Hinata in the mornings for taijutsu practice and Sasuke and Itachi in their new apartment, with a dojo (Sasuke had insisted on having one) to train on his ninjutsu.
This time to everyone's surprise Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were the top 2 students in the ninja academy. And Ino and Hinata were the top 2 females. Haruno Sakura couldn't be angrier at herself for letting Ino beat her. And Ino was loving every second of it.
The Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was no old fool, and he would never found it strange for the young Uchiha to pass as the number one student of his class, but Hiruzen was like a grandfather to Naruto, he took care of him until Naruto could be on his own. He knew how this young man could do, but he never thought that he could pass the class tied with the Uchiha for number 1 place. The same was for Ino and Hinata. He knew their potentials but they were much to young to posses the abilities that they displayed on their final exams. He noticed the sudden attraction between the 4 little soon-to-be ninjas and their guardian figure Uchiha Itachi and after a few years of observation, he needed to see them. In his office. Today was not going to be an easy day.
"The Hokage has summoned all of us to his office…. Now." Said Itachi with a half concerned look since he wasn't told the reason for the meeting.
-The Hokage's office, 9:30am-
Hiruzen started off the meeting. "You are all wondering why you are here today… I may be old, but I am no fool. How long have you been in this time?"
The five of them showed a subtle sign of stiffness while being under the stare of the powerful ninja. Even Itachi, though he could take the Hokage, his respect for the old man made him feel like a child being scolded.
Itachi being the most mature one broke the silence. "We have been in this time since the morning of the day of the massacre…sir. We came here from 8 years in the future."
Hiruzen looked at all of them seriously taking an inhale from his pipe and then…. slowly…
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Oh my young friends. I will not ask you to tell me how or why you are here. I trust you all with my life. But since you have such a grasp of the future I need to take special considerations with this little group" said a smiling Hiruzen.
"After you take the exams follow the instructions of Iruka-sensei and wait for my instructions. That is all. You're dismissed. Itachi-kun, please stay. I have something to discuss with you."
And with that the young ones walked towards Ninja Academy, wondering what would happen to them now.
-Ninja Academy, 10:00am-
Iruka started addressing his class. "Team 10: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji, Haruno Sakura. Team 8: Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, Asami Fumiko. Team 7: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata.
Yamanaka Ino, you will stay after class with Team will wait for your team leaders here. Class dismissed."
Team 10 and 8 soon found their teachers Sarutobi Asuma and Kurenai Yuuhi respectively. Team 7 already expected their leader. This tardiness could only belong to someone.
The screen door opened and Naruto half-expected the same greeting from his previous timeline, only to be severely amazed by the person walking in.
"Nii-san, what are you doing here?" asked Sasuke.
"And …. Is that?…. Hokage-sama! What are you doing here?!" said Ino wondering why 2 of the most powerful shinobi came to the school.
Hiruzen started off. "Yamanaka Ino. As you have probably experienced through out your years of experience your techniques, even though useful, are not fit for actual combat. That is why Iruka-sensei did not appoint you to your previous team which I believe would've been Team 10. I have a special task for you." Sarutobi gazed at the door. "Come in."
The door slid slowly and a tall man in a black overcoat, gloves, a bandanna and a very intimidating presence entered the room.
"Yamanaka Ino, meet your new teacher, Morino Ibiki. From today on, you shall become part of the Interrogation Squad where your techniques will be most useful." Hiruzen let the news sink in before he continued.
"I would've liked you to remain a part of this team but a 4-man cell is the perfect number for a team, and as such I predict your training with Ibiki will make you a great interrogation specialist."
"Do not worry Ino, your father once belonged to the Interrogation Squad as well. You can ask him for pointers and some help, but remember this: I am the most trained interrogation specialist in the Fire Nation and as such your training will not be a pleasant one" said Ibiki closing in on Ino until his face was mere inches from hers.
And with that Morino Ibiki exited the classroom.
"huff…..huff… well…that was….enlightening" said Ino catching her breath. She felt as Ibiki-sensei tortured her in a sudden stare.
"Now that that's settled, Hokage-sama, if I may?" Itachi spoke.
"Oh go ahead Itachi-kun, go ahead."
"Thank you Hokage-sama. Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuuga Hinata. The 3 of you will be working under me as part of Team 7. Your training will begin tomorrow at 7am in the 5th training ground. Hokage-sama has given us the most secluded training area for genins so that we can practice with our own techniques from our timeline without having anybody wondering why 3 genins can perform A-rank jutsus. But seeing as we have been brought back to this time, we still posses our young bodies, your chakra coils and body's physical abilities are not in the same shape they were in the future. As such, your summon contracts and any contact with other allied nations will be null."
Time passed and Team 7 took it upon themselves to take some D-rank missions and the occasional secret A-rank missions. With an ex-ANBU captain, an expert swordsman with an arsenal of lightning jutsu, a medical specialist, and a Toad Sage an A-rank mission was not an impossible feat. But this time around, the new genins opted for a change of wardrobe.
Uchiha Sasuke now wore the outfit he used after training with Kakashi before his match with Gaara, with a few additions. Instead of a bandaged left arm, he now wore a replica of his brother's ANBU forearm protectors, with a sword strapped to his waist much like before. Hyuuga Hinata opted for keeping her long hair and inside her purple vest, being a gift from her mother she refused to part with it, she store a few medical artifacts for emergency procedures. Uchiha Itachi's change was a subtle one. He now wore a Jounin vest with his Uchiha Clan symbol engraved on the back. Uzumaki Naruto preferred his black strap in his hitai-ite, and knowing the truth about his parents he wore a white overcoat with no sleeves with orange flames at the bottom and the kanji for Leaf Whirlpool engraved in its back.
Hiruzen summoned Team 7 to the Hokage Tower to receive another mission. It was to guide a weary traveler to his home. A simple D-rank mission. The client: Tazuna of the Hidden Mist.
-O.0.o.0.O-
Hello. As a writer in development, having so many reviews and followers has done a very positive impact, and I would like to address each one of them individually. Ema Namikaze: I am very pleased you like this story and I will keep posting as soon as I can. Linelly… my good friend Linelly: Your curiosity brings me new ideas, and your excitement makes me enjoy MY story. The DragonBard: I have looked into Loki's birthplace, and I was wrong. Thank you for correcting me. It is indeed Jotunheim. As for the length, its hard to write and study and do other affairs, but I would like to write longer chapters for you all. Namikaze Naruto: Thank you for reading my story twice so far. Indeed made my day. I hope to have spiked your curiosity.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"A writer is not recognized merely by the quality of his or her material, but rather by the following that material gathers, and by how easily and often it is remembered, cherished, and thought of fondly." -James D. Fawkes