Naruto

Heart and Soul

Ninja Academy

"But he is just remarkable, Hokage-sama!" Makoto stated, waving his hands around in the air in his best efforts to visually describe or direct his point across to the old man sitting behind the desk. Of course, the strongest ninja in the village could easily see and understand what the white haired ninja was trying to explain to him, and from what he has told him so far, he was stunned. The Kai-lo shinobi guard behind him to his right and the regular shinobi to his left were also listening intently, and were also amazed, only they didn't show this visibly. "I've never seen or experienced anything like it! That boy…he's got the skill, strength and speed of a shinobi of a high-level Chunin, or even a mid-level Jonin! He could very well be as strong as Kurenai or Asuma!"

"I see. It sounds almost phenomenal, Makoto," the Hokage exclaimed with a smile. He was very well aware of these facts, but had not been given them in such detail. For one, Sarutobi first witnessed Naruto's amazing strengths when he disarmed Kurenai in the hospital, and the stance he assumed after reacquiring his weapons. The memories made him grin. "You weren't going easy on him, where you Makoto?"

"Actually…yes…but I'm sure he was going easy on me as well. It was just a simple training exercise I issued for him…"

"…A one-on-one fight between the two of you? Haven't I heard enough of such stories, like a recap on an argument between you and Kinoko?"

"Look Hokage-sama," Makoto continued, ignoring the smart comment made by the old ninja. Clearing his throat, Makoto adjusted the collar of his Jonin vest-coat and his posture. "The thing is…Naruto is stronger then any child I have ever seen in my life, Genin or not. He has extraordinary potential to become a ninja, far exceeding that of a normal child. By my standards, I can see him passing any ninja test or exam you can throw at him! Therefore, it is at my recommendation that we introduce him to the Ninja Academy!"

"What…at such a young age?" the Hokage stated, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes," Makoto said, folding his arms over his chest and closing his eyes. With his head lowered, the pondered on whether he should reveal this information yet. He had his doubts, but due to the overwhelming admiration and confidence he had in the boy, the Jonin just had to tell. It was the Hokage he was addressing anyway, and word about it was to get out whether he liked it or not. Breathing in and out, the white haired Jonin nodded his head and glanced up again through overshadowed eyes. "Listen, Hokage-sama. You may not be aware of this already, but…a year ago, I found out that Naruto's parents are Minato Namikaze and Kushina Namikaze."

It was at this statement, the Hokage raised his head and his right eyebrow. The slight surprise on his face however were dwarfed by the two other shinobi bodyguards, both of them showing looks of absolute shock, with sweat dripping down the sides of their head, eyes widened and mouths hanging open. Makoto just stared back at them, having expected these reactions, and was ready enough to start his explanations.

However, when he expected the Hokage to start making a big fuss over this news, all Makoto got was a smile and a light chuckle from the old man. This made the white haired man look at the man oddly with a look of puzzlement crossing his face. It was one for the Hokage to take a lot of subjects seriously, even if they were of little importance. But the information he just gave the old man was all but little. It was perhaps the most life changing information anyone could ever pass onto someone, and the Hokage found it…funny?

"What…?" Makoto asked. The Hokage shook his head and reached up. Removing the pipe from his mouth, he smiled at his fellow Jonin, eyes shimmering in that ever all knowing light.

"And?"

"And?!" Makoto replied in a raised voice. Now it was his turn to be startled. "What more do you want? Naruto Uzumaki is the son of the Forth Hokage, a son no one even knew Yondaime had! Doesn't this news shock you at all?!"

"Well…for your information, Makoto," Sarutobi exclaimed, taking another puff from his pipe, while tapping it with his finger to get the simmering tobacco inside of it around, just to get the best of its taste. At the same time, he eyed his fellow ninja with a smirk plastered on his face. "I've known about Minato's family business for a long time. I knew all along he and Kushina had a son. I knew all along that he'd named his son Naruto Uzumaki. And I especially know now that the Naruto you've been looking after is the Forth Hokage's own son. I'd have thought you would have figured it out the moment you saw him! The boy's resemblance to his father is unquestionable." The Hokage added by gesturing with the tip of his pipe towards the portrait of the Forth Hokage hanging up on his wall.

Makoto sighed and slapped his face with his right hand. Running it down in a distressed manner, the white haired male glared up with utter shame and embarrassment. "It was my mistake not to inform this earlier, like I should have…"

"Yet you are wondering why I'm not making such a big fuss over this information," the Hokage stated. Makoto, rectified by this revelation, nodded his head firmly as a response. Smiling, the Hokage lowered his head and laced his fingers together.

"I'm going to tell you a little story Makoto, one that you're probably familiar with. So here it goes," Sarutobi began, breathing in on his pipe and out. "Around ten years ago, in the time when the Forth Hokage was in power, there was peace in our land. The man known as Minato Namikaze brought stability to the Land of Fire and to its people…especially to those within the Village Hidden in the Leaves. To everyone and to him…everything was perfect. These were times of plenty and peace among nations, where no one was afraid of invasion from another super power. However, for the Yondaime, things for him were secretly beginning to deteriorate in the following year. After ending the conflicts between the warring nations, it put a lot of warlords and organizations out of business from selling contraband and weapons to neighboring countries, who needed them to fight in the war, and who could supply these tyrants with gold and riches. A year before Naruto was born; a lot of new enemies began to surface, who wanted the Forth Hokage dead, including the rising Akatsuki Organization, and an old enemy, Orochimaru."

"I remember those days well," Makoto stated. "After that particular incident…the Forth Hokage was seen less and less in public…"

"Right you are there, Makoto," Sarutobi replied. "Minato was a very sociable person, always going out with his wife and always communing with the people, so that he could personally handle the problems in the village and fix them. However, after an attempted assassination by Orochimaru on the Yondaime, in which a big battle broke out between them and where the fiend was nearly killed, Minato thought it best to keep in doors from then on in. Since Orochimaru barely escaped, Minato knew that times were beginning to get dangerous once again. For the betterment of his family, and for the safety of his wife and new born son, he took them away to a distant village on the far reaches of the fire country, where they would live happily and in peace. While the Hokage made frequent visits to them, he continued to govern the village as best as he could. That was until the night the Kyuubi appeared. Driven to madness by the betrayer Madara, the Uchiha commanded the Fox to attack the village, but was stopped by Minato. Minato defeated Madara and the Nine-Tailed Fox that night, but Madara escaped, blinded and unable to use the Sharingan anymore, and Minato was badly weakened by trapping the Nine-Tailed Fox within him with his Jutsu."

Though everyone in the room was aware of this story, mostly out of it being one of the greatest myths in history, Makoto and the two listening guards were still stunned and bewildered. Neither one had known the great sacrifices made those nights, or had known that deeply into the Forth Hokage's life so far. It was only when the Hokage spoke these next words that light began to form around the boy, settling the mysteries surrounding his dark past.

"Knowing that he would not survive, and that if he died with the seal being incomplete, the demon would be released, the Hokage made the ultimate sacrifice. He imprisoned the demon fox within his own son," Sarutobi stated. "With his two year old son's untainted soul, heart, body and mind, Naruto could easily maintain the fox and keep it within him, under complete control, without any form of corruption or change. This simply means that Naruto controls the demon, and is not at all influenced by it…even though he may experience a nice power boost, and an annoying conversation with the fox from time to time," the Hokage exclaimed, chuckling at the end. But from the odd look he received from Makoto, he stopped, and cleared his throat. "Anyway, after completing the seal on his son, with the help from his wife, Minato passed away. Naruto and Kushina remained outside of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, in the same small village young Naruto had grown up in for most of his life. Over the next couple of years, Kushina would complete Naruto's stages of training and pass on her techniques to him, just like you had experienced for yourself. But it's not the Kyuubi in him that makes Naruto so strong. It is of the child's own flesh, will and blood that make him such an exceptional warrior."

Makoto smiled and nodded, with the two guards standing behind the Hokage also smiling. The old man's wisdom wasn't as farfetched as they thought.

"The reason why I didn't make a fuss over this and kept it to myself is because the boy has suffered too much loss in his life to be reminded of his past," Sarutobi explained. "He knows the pain of losing a family all to well, having been the one to have buried his own mother and father. All he wants to do now is start a new life with a new family…which is the reason he has been running, hiding and searching for so long. It is his strength, determination and suffering that returned him to his birth place…here…Konohagakure. I hope you can understand that Makoto."

The white haired Jonin smiled and nodded, hands held behind him upon having those words spoken to him. "I do, Hokage-sama. Heh…it's kind of ironic though. The same day you asked me to take care of the boy…I found out that night about his parents…and vowed that I would give him a new life and a new family who would love him…and take care of him. And here you are now, talking about his parents and how he has longed for a new home…"

"I guess it is kind of ironic," Sarutobi replied, taking the pipe out from his lips and poking the tip towards him. "But try to keep this under wraps. Everyone in this room is forbidden from telling anyone about the Nine-Tailed Fox, treating him like it, or speaking of the boy's parents. Am I making my self clear?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" all those present in the room said aloud at once.

"And as for the Kai-lo shinobi, I believe they will respect their founder Hokage's wishes to insure the boy's protection and safety, and that his wellbeing is kept perfectly. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the Kai-lo bodyguard exclaimed.

"Good…now…" the Hokage said, popping the pipe back into his mouth. Grabbing a stack of papers, the old man sorted through them by shuffling them, before glancing back up at Makoto and smiled at him. "So…how's Naruto doing? I take it he's getting along with you and your family."

"Everything's going well Hokage-sama," Makoto exclaimed. "He's pretty taken with us and…it seems that my daughter is pretty much taken with him…"

"Oh…" a devilish grin spread across the Hokage's face as he looked up at the white haired ninja through shadowed eyes. "Describe it to me…"

"Well," Makoto said, shrugging, "Ever since they first laid eyes on each other, the two of them have been…inseparable! They've literally been walking around hand in hand, and Sakura is constantly following him wherever he goes. Heh…I've never seen her so happy in my life. Plus…the two of them have started training with each other, without our guidance. I believe Naruto is giving my daughter ninja training sessions of their own…"

"I see," the Sandaime exclaimed, tilting his head up at the man. "And in one word…how would you describe their relationship?"

"In one word, Hokage-sama? Well…I don't really know, to be honest. Kinoko and I have put a lot of thought into it! To say that they're bonding over a crush just doesn't cut it. However…if I was to put it into one word, it would have to be…love…"

At that very moment, the scene faded from the Hokage's office in the tower, back towards the Haruno residents. With ghostly sights, a presence spurred on by the winds, we move to the backyard to where Naruto and Sakura were currently spending time. On the soft, lush grass, surrounded by the boundaries of flower patches and exotic trees, the two youngsters were right at this moment locked in their own training sessions. Just as Makoto had said, Naruto was busy coaching Sakura, having taken up duty as a sensei and role model for the girl. However, not only was he an idol to the girl, but also a figment of her admiration, a knight in shining armor of her fantasies…the country boy she had fallen in love with…

"Love…heh…that's a pretty deep word to use, Makoto. Are you sure that's the word to use?"

"I'm positive. How else can you describe the relationship between them?"

Dressed in but a white shirt and blue shorts, with no shoes, and with his sword and scarf set aside, Naruto went through the steps of proper attack formation for the eagle-style in taijutsu. Sakura followed, dressed in a red Chinese top with white linings and red shorts, a red bow tied up in her hair and her feet also made bare. Finally, to complete the descriptions, the two of them had looks of concentration etched on their faces, but also joining them, were smiles of happiness and delight.

Dropped into stances side by side, the two children were practicing going through the stances, with Naruto showing Sakura how to initiate the proper punches and kicks for her chosen style. Together, they both let out shouts for each blow and attack made; forming parries, counter-punches, blocks, and elbows all the way through. They moved in distinct directions, their forms perfectly mirroring each other. It was only when Naruto caught sight of an incorrect formation in Sakura's footwork and latest punch he stopped them, and went over to help her.

"What? By looking at how they interact?"

"Not just by that Hokage-sama. But by how they play together, how they smile at each other, how they speak to each other, and how they laugh together! There's more to love then just the way a couple would hold and kiss each other. It can be simpler then that…"

Naruto adjusted her outstretched arm, moving it up a bit, and helping her bench her knees properly. He stood behind her, showing her through the movements himself, which made the girl blush brightly and close her eyes to hide her embarrassment. When she opened them, she looked to her left to her shoulder, where he saw the boy's head propped on it and a wide, childish grin on his lips. Sakura giggled at the smile and looked away, folding her arms over her chest in an attempt to shy away her blush.

"More innocent then that?"

"Yup! Just by looking at them you can clearly see the future ahead for the two of them…"

It was then Sakura managed to slip out of Naruto's grip and, leaping forward, she spun around and crouched low like a tiger. Acting like a cat, she let out a fake purr, then leapt forward, tackling the boy so that the two of them crashed to the soft grass beneath them. Laughing happily together, they rolled along the grass under the sun, disturbing a pair of butterflies resting on a nearby flower. When the two children stopped, they saw the two blue butterflies flutter past them, and became awed by their intricate aerial ballet. Giggling, Sakura got up off of Naruto and went to chase them, arms outstretched and hands extended, grabbing the air as she lunged at the two butterflies. The two insects broke away, pursued by the pink haired girl. Naruto also joined her, laughing as he chased the two beautiful, wing-beating bugs.

Unbeknownst to them, the two children were watched from the kitchen window by Kinoko, the woman smiling at the sight of Naruto and Sakura having fun together. Their time brought back fond memories of hers, and also filled her with hope and joy.

Soon enough, the butterfly that Naruto was chasing fluttered up to him, and landed on his nose, which caused him to go cross-eye just to look at it. Sakura saw this, and giggled at the funny sight, but laughed even more when Naruto sneezed and the butterfly flew away to rejoin its mate. The pink haired girl skipped over to Naruto, and wrapped her arms around his stomach, hugging him tightly and nuzzling his chest. The boy hugged her back, both of them smiling at each other.

"Are you worried, Makoto?"

"No…

not at all…"


Four years later…

Konoha Ninja Academy…

The sounds of metal clashing against metal could be heard echoing all around outside, as a dueling pair of eleven year-olds battled it out within the boarders of a marked, simple dirt covered arena. Kicking up dust that formed into light clouds around them, the clearly female kunoichi trainee and her partner slashed at each other with kunai, the blades grinding against each other with every lock, and flashing through the air with every strike made, attempted and tried.

Back on the sidelines, far out of reach of the two battling students, stood a crowd of other children believing their destiny was to become a great shinobi, just like their parents were or had dreamed of. Accompanying them was a very familiar face, one that a lot of students have come to know, respect and worship even. The man had black hair neatly done with two distinct bangs of thick hair hanging on either side of his face, which was half-hidden behind a high-collared, purple cloak with black-linings. Under that, a purple standard ninja outfit with net-mesh and white strappings on the arms and legs. The only really visible parts of the rest of his body besides the head that were seen at all times were his legs beneath the knees, and his feet. He wore issued blue sandals with white shin-guards, tightly worn and distinguishable.

It was Itachi Uchiha, and he was currently surveying his students of his class with watchful, intent eyes. At the moment, he was grading the two sparring ninjas on their attacks and blocks, watching their fluent movements and ticking the marking boxes beside their names. It was under each category, you could clearly see that the two students were scoring perfect on everyone. Itachi was clearly impressed.

Locking blades, Naruto and Sakura glared at each other. While Sakura was biting tooth and nail through visibly gritted teeth in order to match her opponent, her yellow haired opponent wasn't even trying. None the less, the two of them have proven themselves exceptional fighters, and after engaging each other in that final death grapple, they both pushed off of each other, skidding across the ground to an abrupt stop. When the clouds of dust faded, Itachi smiled and nodded his head in certainty. He placed the clipboard under his arm, and clapped his hands together in an ever congratulatory manner.

"Well done Naruto and Sakura! You both did well…great skill, great strength, and excellent fall-back stances," the Uchiha exclaimed in that monotone voice he used, although it hinted volumes of enthusiasm and sense of pride. "You two are getting better at this. Keep it up…"

Naruto and Sakura grinned, exiting their stances and dusting themselves down. Bowing to each other, the two of them eventually left the arena vacant for the next pair. This meant that the two of them could catch up on a much deserved break, although Naruto wasn't at all tired. Taking positions side-by-side in the crowd of their fellow students, the pair glanced at each other, shared a loving smile before Sakura wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and laid her head against his shoulder.

However, though the two of them are seemingly together as boyfriend and girlfriend, in reality, neither of them have shared their first kiss, but they both remained incredibly devoted to each other.

"You did well, Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered.

"So did you, Naruto-kun," the pink haired girl replied, giggling as she nuzzled his arm. The usually quiet boy smiled back at her and allowed her to get comfortable.

The two of them had changed considerably over the past four years, and the students they had been with since grade school before moving to the academy had noticed these changes as well.

Just like every growing child, both of them changed in both body and in mind. Naruto had grown a few inches, and was about a couple centimeters taller then Sakura. His hair remained yellow and spiky, and his youthful face gave off that image of pure innocence, from which opponents would continue to underestimate him from. Furthermore, his body has developed a little muscle, and he also looked stronger too. Aside from the fact that he still wore his symbolic scarf around his neck and the dao swords sheathed on his back, he now wore an orange vest with a high collar secured by his scarf, and a black long-sleeved shirt that hugged at his upper-body, showing off his developing muscles. He also wore a pair of black cargos with blue sandals.

Sakura had also gone through a couple of outfit changes herself, but has settled for her latest one for quite some time now. Presently, she wore a red Chinese vest with white linings, especially up front, with ninja shirt mesh underneath, with the short sleeves seen around her shoulders and upper arms. Below her exposed belly cut, she wore a light brown, short battle robe skirt with scroll pouches on both sides above the side-splits, and black, figure-hugging spandex shorts. She also wore a pair of dark grey sandals, and a white scarf around her neck. She had taken up an appearance similar to her love interest, and has also developed a liking to her short haircut, making her look more womanly in Naruto's eyes, though she always was to him.

After getting comfortable together, the pair made themselves blend into the crowd, and rested back to watch the next pair duel. As it turns out, it was Shikamaru vs. Hinata. Although it weirded him out when the girl stepped back when he assumed his stance, she eventually pulled herself together with encouragement from her sensei, and the two of them begun their battle.

Today was a very exciting day for the students of Konoha's Ninja Academy, because today was their graduation day, and everyone was bouncing on the toes of their feet in excitement. The most skittish just could not contain their joy, while the most serious ones stood in a distant corner with their arms folded and tapped their foot impatiently. These were common actions and emotions to be expressed by those children held in the highest confidence by their senseis. But those that had a balance of both seriousness and childishness were able to remain steadfast, as if this day was just a normal day. Naming a few would be Naruto, Sakura, Hinata and Shino (even though nobody could tell whether that guy was happy or not, he was as stiff as a petrified tree).

The final tests proceeded smoothly and on schedule, and by the time the last pair were done, Itachi hurried the students back into the building where their next teacher would be waiting for them. Right on the tick, the school's bell rung, and once he was certain everyone had made it inside, Itachi made his way indoors, double checking the papers on his clipboard. He sighed and shook his head, passing through the open corridors of the ground floor of the building, as he made his way to hand his papers into Iruka-sensei, the homeroom teacher.

"I don't mind substitute work, I'm just not used to so many children…" the Uchiha groaned, before a smile sprouted on his face. "Oh well…at least I got to see my little brother today…"

"Hey, Itachi!" a voice suddenly called down from the side office he had just passed, causing the young man to stop and turn around. When he did, his eyes fell upon the familiar face of Asuma. The combat ninja of Konoha, otherwise one of the assigned teachers at this school for this year, he was one of the best, as well as an associate of Itachi. They may have had their ups, downs and arguments, but the bad times were behind them.

"Oh…Asuma, good afternoon," Itachi exclaimed in his usual monotone voice.

"Good afternoon to you too," the man replied, coming to stand just outside of the office he has been occupying. "I take it class went well?"

"Yes…it went well," the Uchiha replied, smiling.

"No troubles at all, I hope…"

"Very little to none," Itachi exclaimed, eyes flickering as he turned around a bit more. "I must say, this year has planted in the garden of our classrooms seeds of many exceptional Genin candidates. I am certain we'll be seeing a lot of promise from these youngsters in the future."

"Hmm…Iruka's graduating homeroom, I take it?" Itachi nodded in response. "I see. Well then, I have to agree with you there, Itachi. It'll be quite difficult for us to finalize the selections for tomorrow! You are aware that only fifteen of them will be able to make it, right?"

"Yes…yes I am," Itachi said with a smile. "I take it you'll be taking a team on this year, Asuma?"

"Of course," the shinobi replied with a not, shifting the cigarette around in his mouth as he placed his hands on his hips. In the background behind him, the head of another familiar face stuck out from the classroom Asuma had been working in. That head was soon followed by the raven haired, red eyed Kurenai. Itachi glanced at her only briefly, before looking back at Asuma as if he hadn't noticed a thing. "How can I pass up an opportunity to train a team of my own? Heh…my old man's allowing us to have our pick, depending on their skill and strength that will determine their compatibility to work in a team, as well as relationship history. "

Itachi nodded, just staring at Asuma for the next few seconds in silence, before his eyes eventually glanced over at Kurenai. The woman had been left out of his attention since her appearance, up until now, and the Uchiha began making quick analysis of the pair and the singular office room they were confined too. If he wasn't so dense, then he would have noticed it sooner without a second thought. He looked back over at Asuma and smirked.

"Getting a little cozy I see, Asuma," Itachi said, glancing back over at Kurenai and nodding to the slightly surprised shinobi. "You and Kurenai seem to be spending a lot of time together lately…more so then usual. Is there something you're not telling me and the others?"

A brilliant shade of red suddenly streaked across Kurenai's cheeks, immediately forcing her to look away, whereas Asuma developed a slight streak of red and closed his eyes. "What? Up yours, Itachi! There's nothing going on between me and Asuma!" Well that practically threw all hope of further defenses against the Uchiha's prying out the window for the couple.

"Oh really?" Itachi said with an amused grin, his eyes taking note of her ruffled hair and the way her top was barely hanging onto her right shoulder, having slid down due to reasons he did not want to get intimate about. "Well then, carry on." Itachi looked the two of them up and down once more, making a few more notes before walking away with a semi-amused and disturbed look etched out on his face.

Asuma and Kurenai sighed, turning towards each other with relieved looks on their faces. Kurenai adjusted her top and fluffed out her hair, whereas Asuma tucked in his disheveled shirt and zipped up his vest, having forgotten the important qualities his outfit should bare.

"Isn't it becoming a little too obvious?" Asuma asked.

"I believe so," Kurenai replied, straightening her headband and making sure her applied lipstick wasn't smudged. "How many others do you think know?"

"Hmm…Kakashi…?"

"Huh? Hell no! He's so caught up in his reading he wouldn't give a rat's ass about us!"

"You know what…bad example," Asuma replied, sighing and scratching his head, while turning his eyes towards the ceiling.


Later that day…

"By the will of the Hokage, the school staff, administrators, and of the eyes of Konoha, I can proudly and happily announce that you have all graduated from Konohagakure's Ninja Academy!" Iruka exclaimed with his hands behind his back and a big grin plastered on his face. He held his nose up high to all the students sitting behind their desks with their headbands in hand or secured around their foreheads, eyeing them all and seeing the big smiles on their faces. "You have all made this academy and its members proud this year. Congratulations!"

A big cheer erupted from the students present in the room, all those who had been holding up their pent of excitement from the beginning of the day letting it all out in one major uproar. Accompanying this crowd of cheering children from all different families and clans included Kiba, Ino, Choji, Sakura and many more familiar faces they have spent their entire year with. Naruto was sitting in his seat with his arms folded, smiling proudly and nodding his head. Sasuke was surprisingly also grinning, clapping his hands together a couple of times in characteristic congratulations to all his cheering pupils, and also spending some on himself. Once the cheering was through, and those head bands that were thrown into the air were gathered up by their owners, Iruka held up his right hand for silence. Once quietness had fallen, he reestablished himself onto his next statement.

"Now that you have all graduated, you are hereby considered ninja in this village, and must now continue on with your lives carrying the weight of a shinobi's duties, responsibilities and honor on your shoulders. You have all been blessed with the receiving of your headbands, and have had your training overseen by some of the finest ninja in this village. You will now act upon what you have been taught, but still live your lives well and long enough to enjoy it," Iruka stated, still smiling.

All the students were listening intently, their excitement and enthusiasm having yet to falter. If anything else, that excitement and energy had increased, even though their bodies were still recovering from their previous outburst. Sitting in silence, the rows of students waited patiently with open ears, as their beloved Chunin homeroom teacher continued his little talk.

"Furthermore, I have no hesitation in announcing that tomorrow will be your team induction day, where you will all be assigned into a three man teams, with an elite Jonin assigned to your team to oversee your continued training, leadership and the missions that you will be undertaking. I expect full maturity and behavior from you on that day, as well as the Jonin who will be taking you under his or her wing. You will report here tomorrow, and will be collected by your Jonin instructors and taken to your designated areas," Iruka stated, looking from one student after another. With a final nod, the young man gave them the thumbs up. "Dismissed…"


"Now…are all of my volunteer Jonin partaking in this year's Genin team assembling, present?" Sarutobi asked, looking around the room at all the quiet faces staring at him, giving them their utmost attention. Smiling, the old man nodded his head and pulled up the list of names he was given of all this year's academy graduates by Iruka. His eyes scanning over this list once, he then looked back up at the ninjas standing before him and began to speak. "Very well then, now that you're all here, I shall now open up the floor for those who have made up their minds on the students they wish to have on their team! For those who have already made their decisions, speak up, and I will assign you a number, as well as give you a finalization on your chosen team members."

It was at this statement a certain, silver haired Jonin stepped forward, making his presence known to all those in the room. The man who is known as the Copy-Ninja of Konoha, and the one man responsible for holding up this meeting for over half an hour due to his timely and anticipated absence! It was Kakashi. Sarutobi set his eyes upon the ninja, and when he did, lowered his head in sort dread.

"(Sigh)…Kakashi Hatake, the last to show up to this meeting and the first to make his decision known. How ironic," Sarutobi murmured, causing several of the Jonin present to snigger in amusement. Some however, including Itachi Uchiha, just shut their eyes and smirked at the hilarity of the Hokage's title bestowment upon the silent, Icha Icha crazy ninja. This was later dispersed with when the Third Hokage looked up at the man through overshadowed eyes and recapped on his earlier announcement. "Alright, who have you chosen?"

Hands in his pockets, Kakashi cleared his throat to wave off the intended embarrassment, and began to speak. "With your permission Hokage-sama, I wish to have Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha as my students," the masked Jonin stated. It was at this statement of choice that raised immediate protests among some of the other shinobi present, mostly from those who were most eager to have either of those three as their students. The Hokage looked across the crowd, to see several of these ninjas step forward to make their displeasure soundly local.

"You can't just have the three best Genin on your team Kakashi! That's unfair for the rest of us!" a known spiky haired ninja in the back shouted.

"Balancing out the team by putting all the good apples in one basket isn't going to cut it!" another said, walking up to the ninja and poking in his direction.

"I agree! You can't put all the best into one team! That's just dividing the rest of the class from them," another male Jonin shouted. "That's labeling…"

"And what makes you think we're categorizing our students now?" Sarutobi asked, silencing the outcries of the surrounding ninja. The old man groaned and laced his fingers together, keeping his eyes locked on the group in front of him. "Saying that one is stronger then another is understandable amongst two different parties. But by teaming up our students, we're eliminating the need for individual strengths alone, so that we can say that each team is as equal as the next, and that all members within that team are functioning comrades who can rely on each other, and forget about their strength differences. In other words, the three members of that team still count on the other team member for support. So let's knock off all these arguments about who the best students are. You all make it sound like the others are unwanted…"

Lowering their heads in shame, those ninja who spoke out against this decision of Kakashi backed down into the shadows, leaving only a said few still standing in the midst of the Hokage. Clearing his throat, Itachi stepped forward and, as per habit, placed his hand through the divide in his collar and rested it there.

"I still believe though that someone else besides Kakashi should have the honor of teaching these three," the Uchiha clan member stated, thinking of the betterments for his brother, and making the decision that would be beneficial for everyone else in this room. "Perhaps: someone who has not associated with them before and someone who specializes in dealing with their specialties, and can compliment them through sound teachings and observations, would be best." Kakashi glanced back at the Uchiha clan member and furrowed his brow at him, although he did feel that it was the most reasonable of decisions. This made the masked ninja feel a bit selfish on his part.

Asuma nodded his head. "I agree. Perhaps a senior Jonin with more experience…"

"A ninja who can listen, and has had much history with teamwork," Kurenai continued.

"I'll take them…"

"No way, Inaru! I'll be training them…"

"No, I will!"

It was then bickering and shouts of protests once again filled the crowds, as the Jonin suddenly began turning this lotto draw into a mob outbreak. Sarutobi lowered his head, whereas Kakashi slapped his hand against his head in distress. Itachi also lowered his head, but ran his hand through his hair as a sign of utter annoyance. But, just as the shouting was growing in volume and the small crowd in the Hokage's office was starting to become violent, a loud screeching of nails on a blackboard suddenly echoed around the room. It was so loud and so sharp that almost everyone was forced to cover their ears, and reeled in agony. Silencing themselves immediately, the groups turned towards the wooden wall near the back end of the room, where they saw a rather overshadowing figure standing.

The figure was clearly a woman, and almost everyone in the room stood to a fearful attention at the sight of her. Unlike all the other Jonin in the room aside from Kurenai, she wore an outfit totally outside of their usual attire. This included a flimsy mesh-turtle neck barely covered by a light brown Chinese martial arts vest with yellow linings, which was fitting tight around her chest area, and exposed a lot, not leaving much to the imagination. The most peculiar outfit components on her upper body however were the arm areas. On her hands, the woman wore thin, stone gloves, which are crafted and carved to flow nicely with her woman hands, and were comprised into individual pieces that allowed easy movement and flexibility of her wrist, hand and fingers. These earth mineral gloves started from her hands, and ended just below her elbows. Further down, beneath her exposed stomach, she wore a qipao like skirt (similar to Chun Li's, but with the top and bottom divided) that was maroon with light brown linings, and mesh stockings. She also wore cuffs around ankles, and was literally bare foot. On top of her sexy outfit, the woman was no doubt attractive in every aspect, right down to her curvaceous and perfect form. She also had long, raven black hair with her headband worn around her neck, and light blue eyes with no pupils.

It immediately occurred to everyone that she was blind. But without a doubt, she was one of the scariest women in this village.

Everyone immediately backed away, creating a path for the ninja as she hopped off of the table she was sitting on, and walked casually up to the Hokage's desk. With a grin on her face, she edged passed Itachi and Kakashi easily as if she could see them, and smirked down at the old man who was looking up at her with a very considerate look on his face.

"Ah…Ryu…still interrupting meetings I see…"

The woman nodded and thumbed at her chest, ignoring the feeling of Kakashi looking her over with silent admiration and interest.

"I'm your woman, Hokage-sama!" she exclaimed, placing her finger down on his desk in a stabbing motion. "I'll train these three Genin myself if that's what it takes to get these guys to shut up!" Sarutobi raised an eyebrow at her, finding her actions though provocative, very personality like. Ryu was perhaps the only ninja in this village to actually talk to the Hokage like this without fear of consequence.

"Hmm…are you sure you're up to it, Ryu?" the Hokage asked with concern. "These three, especially Naruto…they can be a real handful. I doubt even you'll be able to keep up with them if they're locked together into a team."

"Oh believe me, Hokage-sama," Ryu said, an evil grin forming on her face. "Whoever these three are, I'm sure I'll be able to straighten them out. You can count on it…"

Sarutobi sweated nervously. What was it about her statements that sent an incredibly cold chill down his spine?

TO BE CONTINUED…