Naruto Chapter 4

Konoha Training Grounds

The Next generation of Team 7 waited for their Sensei Kakashi to arrive to begin training. But he was late, just like when they had arrived for the Bell Test. Sasuke had arrived on time, followed by the loud screech of Sakura, and finally the last to arrive was Eri Kurostuba.

"Hi Sasuke! I'm so glad we're on the same team!" she shouted next to her raven haired teammate.

"Sakura, please don't be so loud."

"Sorry Sasuke"

The voice of the third member of the cell started to speak.

"I wonder what Sensei will teach us"

"It better be something great. These D-Rank missions are annoying." Said Sasuke, sulking and brooding

"Well, Sasuke. Sensei did say that we were going to meet someone around our age. One of his former students or something like that." Sakura said matter of factly.

"Hmm. Interesting." Sasuke thought to himself.

"He better get here soon. We need to train." Sasuke said impatiently

With Kakashi and Naruto

Kakashi and Naruto walked toward the training grounds at a leisurely pace. Naruto was excited to meet the only team that he had passed. Another exciting thing about this team was that it was Team 7. Kakashi Hatake had been a part of the previous generation's Team 7 led by the future Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze. As Naruto was walking he remembered how he had become a Shinobi and how he was placed in the Accelerated Shinobi Program, the program was started by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju in order to replenish losses taken during the First Great Shinobi War. The conflict which ultimately took the life of the man who had essentially built the foundation of the village that his elder brother the First Hokage Hashirama Senju had created. The ASP essentially created a core of elite Shinobi within the smaller military of Konoha.

-Flashback-

A four year old Naruto was walking with Hiruzen Sarutobi toward the Hokage Mountain.

"Old Man. Where are we going"?

"You'll see young Naruto."

Soon enough they stopped walking and Naruto marveled at the site in front of him. He was standing on top of the Fourth Hokage's head and below him was the entire village.

The Third Hokage began speaking again.

"Naruto, What do you see?"

"What do you mean old man? I see the village."

"Yes. That is true. What else?"

The four year old started to think and what he said next shocked Hiruzen. With all the determination a child could muster. Naruto said the same exact words the First Hokage had said when he and Madara Uchiha looked at what would be the location of the Village.

"I see a dream."

Hokage's Office

Hiruzen and Danzō were busy discussing the civil war that's taking place in Mizu no Kuni and Kirigakure and its implications on a wider political scale.

"How bad is it"? Danzō asked

"ANBU Platoon Alpha is currently trapped in the country as they were undergoing a month-long reconnaissance mission when the civil war started and the borders are officially closed". Stated Hiruzen

"I see, our best ANBU Squads are trapped in a hostile country with no backup".

As Hiruzen was about to say something the door opened and Fox, the leader of Alpha Platoon rushed into the office and bowed.

"My Lord. I bring urgent news about the civil war happening. Alpha Platoon accomplished all objectives regarding the operation in Mizu no Kuni."

"Report."

"Sir. Alpha Platoon received no casualties when leaving the war-torn country. All the bloodline clans are being massacred by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi. Though the beginnings of a resistance movement are forming."

"Rise Fox. You and Alpha's 1st platoon are on leave for the next two weeks. Alpha's 2nd platoon will be activated immediately. You've done well, Rikimaru."

Alpha Platoon is one of the most elite units in Konohagakure. It's larger than the standard ANBU Platoon, having 50 members instead of the standard 25. It is also composed of two types of Shinobi, chakra and non chakra wielding Shinobi.

With Rikimaru

Rikimaru Azuma, known as the Red Fox of Konoha, was the current head of the Azuma Clan. One of the few Shinobi Clans that don't use chakra but they gained infamy as powerful assassin's. He was walking through the village when he saw his friend Kagemaru wave over to him. He was in a small restaurant.

"Rikimaru over here."

He walked towards his friend and sat down. It looked like he was eating some steamed pork buns.

"Here, have some. How was your trip?"

He nodded and followed the code. All ANBU operatives used code while out of uniform when describing their job.

"Ah. The trip went well, the water was a bit stormy. But everyone made it out safely."

Kagemaru immediately understood what he was saying. The Recon mission to Mizu no Kuni was successful with no casualties but the country is being torn apart by civil war.

"How are you Mr. Drill Sergeant?"

Kagemaru had injured himself during a previous operation with Alpha Platoon. So, while he recovered he was offered to help train the next batch of ANBU recruits.

"It's good. One of them is really promising. No surprise given who his father is."

"Oh. Which recruit?"

"The commander's son, Ken Kurostuba."

"Well, he's been trained from an early age to become ANBU."

"Fair enough. But I'm being extra hard on him. Keep me updated. He might have a spot in Alpha Platoon."

"Well, if he passes selection. He's going to be placed on Team Ro."

"Anyway, it was nice catching up. Don't be a stranger. Let's have a kenjutsu duel sometime. I need to shower and then sleep. Thanks for the food."

"No problem."

Walking toward the Azuma Clan Compound he remembered when he became the clan head, only 18 years old when his father Shiunsai Azuma died during the Nine-Tails Attack. As he entered the compound, he got to his modest room, took off his clothes, put his sword Izayoi away and turned on his shower. Hissing at the coldness of the water, as it eventually relaxed him. His hand touched his white hair as the dirt and grime left his body.

Konoha Training Grounds

Kakashi and Naruto finally made it to the training grounds. Naruto saw Eri, a girl with pink hair, and a kid with raven hair. He assumed they were Sakura and Sasuke.

"Hey Naruto. How are you doing"

"Oh hey Eri. I'm good. So, this is your team?" Naruto said inspecting both Sakura and Sasuke.

"You must be Kakashi's former student. I'm Sakura Haruno and the quiet one is Sasuke Uchiha." Sakura said all bubbly

"Nice to meet you both."

"I want to spar with you, Naruto." Sasuke said pointing to the newly minted Chūnin

"What do you think?" Naruto said to Kakashi

He shrugged and said "Sure. Taijutsu only. I want to see how far you've both progressed. Remember Sasuke, Naruto here is a Chūnin."

Both fighters stood in the middle of the training field. Kakashi stood and shouted

"All right, Begin!"

Both shinobi lept toward each other at blinding speeds. Jabing and kicking each other, testing the other combatants skill before going all into an attack. Sasuke had lept back waiting for an opening in Naruto's defenses. Then he saw an opening, and Naruto was launching a kick at the genin. But left his chest open. Sasuke launched his foot as hard as he could toward that one open spot. Naruto parried the attack with his own foot. Kicking sasuke's knee with his foot sending him flying. Kakashi and Naruto noticed that the raven haired teen was using the standard Academy Style of Taijutsu. The fight lasted another 30 minutes before Sasuke's stamina began to run out. He tried to parry a punch from Naruto, but it was uncoordinated and was hit square in the jaw. The fight was finished, of course Kakashi knew who would win. But he wanted to see Naruto's skills and see how Sasuke did against a more powerful individual.

"Good work, both of you. But Sasuke, don't let your anger cloud your judgment."

Sasuke just grunted in response. Wondering how someone his age could beat him. He saw Naruto approach him.

"That was a good fight, you almost had me there a few times. Don't let this loss beat you up. Your Taijutsu style is great, have you ever thought of using Kenjutsu?"

"Sword fighting." Sasuke thought for a moment. "Hmm. I'll ask Sensei about it."

"Just remember, the Will of Fire guides us as Shinobi of Konohagakure. Don't forget that."

Naruto said in a serious way.

Sasuke's face showed confusion. Not understanding what Naruto was speaking of. In the Academy, his instructor Iruka would talk about the Will of Fire, but never really explained it. Naruto saw his confusion and spoke again.

"The Will of Fire is our guiding philosophy, the members of Konohagakure are a family, and that's what gives us our strength. Of course many leaf shinobi have personalized it. For me, it's the dream of Konohagakure, a dream of peace and prosperity for our village and Hi no Kuni" Naruto said.

"The Will of Fire. Hmm. My power comes from my hatred."

"Hate is a type of power. But what happens when you lose that hatred?"

Sasuke answered honestly saying that he didn't know and that he would think about it. Naruto decided to lighten the mood and said.

"Anyway, I'm hungry. You guys want to get some lunch?"

Sakura thanked him but declined, saying that she was having dinner with her parents. Sasuke said that it wasn't necessary and that he had his own food at the Uchiha Clan Compound, plus he had some thinking to do. Only Eri agreed to his request, which suited him just fine. He had to talk about his relationship with her anyway, as awkward as it would be. He needed to know where he stood with his best friend's sister.