Twelve Years Ago
"So how does this auxiliary to Hiraishin work?" Sarutobi asked.
The Yondaime took out one of his tri-kunai. The special weapon had his tracking seal engraved right into the blade. "You know that what separates Hiraishin from other similar jutsus like shun shin is the fact it involves actual physical teleportation, whereas shun shin merely allows for faster movement."
Sarutobi nodded.
"Just as important Hiraishin allows me to act at a speed akin to that of the speed of light. It would not be anywhere near as fearsome if I were forced to act in real time. That is how I can defeat entire armies in the blink of an eye. I am literally able to be in hundreds of locations in the same moment and able to act. I can kill a hundred different targets in the blink of an eye, provided I have a seal in place to direct me."
"Yes, how is Senko Tanken different?"
"Well essentially it's a short range reversed Hiraishin."
"Reversed? I'm afraid I don't understand."
The Yondaime again held out the tri-kunai. "When I use Hiraishin I use my tri-kunai or other seals to guide my movement. They remain in place while I move instantaneously, able to be in a hundred places at once. With Senko Tanken I act as the seal mark while I send my tri-kunai moving at an ungodly speed. I push out and concentrate my chakra in a ten yard area about my body, creating a temporary seal. I then teleport my tri-kunai out to cover the entire area. As with Hiraishin the tri-kunai move at an ungodly speed and can be everywhere in a single breath. When the jutsu is complete they return to their sheaths. Everything with ten yards of me is sliced to pieces. Moving at the speed they do they should be able to cut easily through even steel or sold granite."
Sarutobi tried to imagine it, kunais everywhere in a single instant, moving as fast as light. "It sounds like a terrifying attack; I certainly can't imagine any defense to it."
"Well, just like Hiraishin it's a very powerful technique, but it does have weak points."
"I take it distance is one of them?"
Minato nodded. "Ten yards is the effective limit. It may be possible to make the area of effect smaller, but not larger. Since this is meant to work in tandem with Hiraishin that isn't a real problem."
"What are the other weaknesses?"
"Well one is that it will only affect enemies or objects that can be cut. Jutsus that allow a person to take on a liquid or gaseous form will be unaffected. The other is the nature of the temporary seal. The chakra has to be allowed to flow freely in order to work. In other works it can't pass though solid or semi-solid material like earth, water, or walls. If it were to be used within a room for instance it would only effect the area of the room, the area beyond won't be affected even if it's within the ten yard range. It also won't penetrate the ground or water I'm standing on, so enemy shinobi with earth or water jutsus remain a threat."
"I see," Sarutobi nodded. "Within these limits though this new jutsu appears quite fearsome."
"Yes, it's made for killing." He let out a regretful sigh. "I had hoped my son would not have to be immersed in killing as I had to be, but I suppose that was always a hopeless dream. In this world of ninja there is no avoiding it. I will just have to teach him what it means to kill."
"With you there to guide him I am certain he will be fine."
XXX
An exhausted but very happy Naruto had gone home to rest. He had missed his session with the photographer but that could be rescheduled for later.
Sarutobi had a much more important problem to deal with. Who would be Naruto's Jonin instructor? Iruka had already formed the students into squads and Sarutobi had no objection with his choices. He'd received regular reports about Naruto from both his academy teachers and from ANBU observers. He was well aware of the strong ties he had formed with the Haruno girl. It was general policy that if students formed close ties while in school those were usually maintained when teams were formed. They naturally helped create the strong bonds and teamwork essential to an effective squad. The third member of the squad would fit in well and likely not offer any major disruptions.
The problem was deciding who should be sensei.
Part of a Jonin's duties included hardening the new shinobi to the harsh realities of ninja life. This naturally included the fact they would expected to kill. Under normal circumstances it would be at least a year or longer before a new team would be trusted with a mission where bloodshed was likely. The unexpected was always possible, but a ninja usually had time to adjust before killing became necessary. Given whom Naruto was though and the nature of his new jutsu Sarutobi suspected that day would come sooner rather than later. He would need a Jonin who could prepare him, even if that meant his treatment was bit harsh.
He would also have to be given a little more help in one other way. At the moment Naruto knew only four jutsus. The three D-rank ones all academy students were required to know and an S-rank one he was not permitted to use except in life and death situations. He would need at least one more that could be used in n on lethal combat.
Sarutobi thought he had the perfect one in mind.
The door to his office slammed open and a young boy with a scarf leapt through. "On guard old man!" The boy tripped over his scarf and landed on his face.
"Young Lord!" Ebisu cried in mild panic.
Sarutobi sighed, when would his grandson out grow these silly challenges? "Hello Konohamaru."
XXX
As they usually did Naruto and Sakura met on the way to the academy and walked into class together. He was bursting to tell Sakura about what had happened yesterday with his new jutsu and how the old man and the Jonin had talked about how amazing it was. Unfortunately he had been warned not to, at least not yet.
XXX
Yesterday
"Naruto," the Hokage spoke to him. "For the time being keep this new jutsu a secret. I want you to wait until your new sensei gives you permission to demonstrate it for your teammates. They'll need to understand what you can do in order to be ready to work with you. However even after that I want you and your team to keep this ability secret."
"That's not fair!" Naruto burst out. "I get this awesome new jutsu and I'm not even allowed to brag about it?"
"Naruto! Secrecy and deception are at the very heart of being a shinobi! Going about thumping your chest is a game for children. You are an adult now. A real ninja does not brag about his abilities, quite the opposite he will do everything in his power to keep them secret." Sarutobi could see how frustrated the boy was to hear that.
"But… but I want people to know what I can do! I want people to acknowledge me!"
The Hokage put a hand on his shoulder. "I acknowledge what an amazing feat it was Naruto. So do the ten Jonin who witnessed it, every one of them was impressed with you. You will be acknowledged and treated with the respect you deserve, but you need to be a little patient. As your career goes on I have no doubt at all you will become a very great and well known ninja."
XXX
Hearing that from the Hokage made it a little easier to keep what he'd done under wraps.
"Hey Sakura-chan, what happens if we end up on different teams?"
"We'll just deal with it as best we can I guess," she replied. "Even if we're not on the same team we'll still see each other when we're in the village." She gave him an affectionate hug. "Don't worry too much; I'll still be your girl no matter what."
"Good," he said with relief.
"What are you worried?' She teased. "Afraid someone might take me away from you?"
He looked over to where Ino was playing up to Sasuke as he tried desperately to ignore her.
Sakura followed his gaze and smirked. "Oh, that's right maybe I'll end up on his team and I'll fall in love with him."
"Don't joke about that," Naruto said. "You and Hinata are the only girls in class who aren't fan girls. And you used to have a crush on him."
"That was before I realized he didn't have a soul," Sakura told him. "Naruto no matter how good a ninja he may be there's something wrong with him. He never smiles he never laughs and he has no friends, not even one. I would never want to be with someone who doesn't know how to laugh and make me laugh." She gave his arm a squeeze. "I like boys who are warm and affectionate and aren't afraid to tell me they like me."
Her touch made him feel slightly and made him very happy. "Man I really hope we end up on the same team."
XXX
Yesterday
After dealing with his grandson's challenge he had sent for the ninja who would take over Naruto's team. He'd asked all ten potential senseis to the demonstration so when he announced the last minute change the reason for it was fairly obvious.
"So you want me to turn Naruto into a little killer, eh?" The Jonin had a wide too friends smile. "Sounds like fun."
"I want you to turn him into an effective ninja," Sarutobi replied.
"One who's willing and ready to kill, got it."
"Given this new jutsu it's inevitable that he will have to kill at some point. It's better for him that he be ready when that time comes."
The Jonin happily chuckled. "Well assuming the gakis can actually pass my test I'm certainly the one for the job."
XXX
When Iruka arrived the students quieted down.
"Mizuki has been assigned an important mission from the Hokage so I'm afraid he can't be here today, I have no doubt he would wish all of you the best in your careers just as I do."
The students all accepted that without a second thought.
"I will now read out your team assignments. Before I do please keep in mind they were made by me with the idea of keeping all the squads in relative balance. I gave due consideration to all factors and my decisions are final. As shinobi you will be expected to accept whatever missions and teammates you are given. You are all ninja now, no matter what your feelings please do not try and argue with me to try and get a certain teammate."
He deliberately looked at Ino.
"Also keep in mind attempted bribery of a public official is a criminal offense."
Sasuke snorted and Ino sank deeper into her chair.
"After I have read out your assignments you are free to have an hour long lunch. Return here to meet your new senseis."
He then began reading out the assignments beginning with team one.
"Team five, Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto and Sakura both tensed up. "Haruno Sakura," that was as far as he was able to get.
"Yahoo!" Naruto shouted.
"Oh yeah!" Sakura cried pumping her fist in the air.
Iruka gave them an amused look. "Okay, calm down you two. The third member is Aburame Shino. Your sensei will be Mitarashi Anko."
Naruto and Sakura both looked over to Shino. He was easily the quietest boy in the class and rarely spoke to anyone. Unlike Sasuke though he had no reputation for being rude to anyone, he simply didn't engage much. The boy turned in his seat and nodded politely to his new teammates.
Iruka continued.
"Team seven will be Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Uchiha Sasuke."
"Noooooooooo!" Ino wailed.
Sasuke looked ever so slightly relieved.
"Your sensei will be Hatake Kakashi," Iruka continued over the girl's sobs. When he announced she would be in team ten with Shikamaru and Chouji with Sarutobi Asuma as sensei she was not made any happier.
"All right everyone have a good lunch, when you return you'll be introduced to your senseis."
Naruto and Sakura approached their new teammate.
"Shino-kun," Sakura said. "We're going to Ichiraku's to get some ramen. How about you join us?"
"Yeah, we can start figuring out how to be a kick ass ninja squad," Naruto said excitedly. Since he had Sakura on his team he had no doubt team five would be a great unit.
Shino nodded his head politely. "I agree that would be a good way to begin forming team bonds."
Hinata nervously approached Sasuke. "Ah, Sasuke would you…"
The boy stuck his hands in his pockets and walked past without even acknowledging her.
Kiba came up to her looking annoyed. "I see we're off to a great start as a team."
Hinata turned to him. "Ah, Kiba would you like to have lunch with me? As… as new teammates I mean." He gave her a wide smile and she felt her face blush a little.
"Sure Hinata-chan, sounds good."
XXX
When they all returned from lunch there were nine Jonin in the classroom waiting. In order they called their teams down.
After team four departed a woman in a trench coat and a fishnet shirt stepped forward. Naruto recalled she was one of the ones the Hokage had brought out with him. He didn't remember her saying anything, though her outfit had definitely been memorable.
"Team five!" She shouted. "Get your sorry butts down here!"
In short order the three of them were standing in front of her. Looking them over her smile was a bit… predatory. "Okay gakis! My name is Mitarashi Anko and as far as you are concerned I am kami herself! Now let's go!" She chuckled and Naruto felt ice run down his spine. "This is going to be sooooo much fun, for me at least."