Hm well it seems that people quite enjoyed that last chapter except for a couple that believed I overpowered Mizuki. Oh well that's water under the bridge now so let's just proceed to the next chapter.
Chapter 11: Team Discussions
"Iruka-sensei!, Iruka-sensei!" Choji shouted as he along with Shikamaru raced through the academy halls in search of their teacher.
Many curious teachers poked their heads from their own classrooms upon hearing the boy's panicked plea for his teacher.
"What's the meaning of this?" One academy teacher asked as he shut his classroom door behind him and entered the hallway.
Choji and Shikamaru both stopped to face the man. "Please…(pant)…sir." Choji tried to explain completely out of breath. "It's…(pant)…our teacher he's attacking…(pant)… a student." Choji finished, while Shikamaru chose to simply nod his head after everything Choji said.
The man took on a serious facial expression. "Now boys we take all claims here quiet seriously, so tell me where is this happening?" The man questioned, only for him to be cut off by Iruka walking up to them.
"Shikamaru Choji what are you doing here, shouldn't you have returned to class by now?" Iruka asked as he stopped in front of Choji and Shikamaru.
"These boys claim that a teacher is attacking one of the students." The teacher answered for the boys.
"It's true" Shikamaru cut in. "It's Mizuki-sensei, he's completely lost it and he's now attacking Naruto." Shikamaru finished with uncharacteristically amount of urgency in his voice.
Iruka's eyes widened. "Shit" Iruka muttered as he took off as quick as he could towards the exit of the academy. 'Damn you Mizuki I knew the way you felt about Naruto, but to pull this… I just hope I can make it in time.' Iruka thought as he dashed through the hall way.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto was still staring awestruck at Mizuki's lifeless body. Blood was pouring from his agape mouth and his eyes were wide open and blood shot. Naruto had to fight back the urge to vomit upon looking at the man.
His momentary state of shock ended when he noticed Hinata was also staring at Mizuki's body and tears were pouring from her eyes, and she was shaking violently.
"H-Hinata?" Naruto called in a raspy voice, but the girl didn't respond. "Hinata you have to stop looking at him." Naruto stated while gripping his bloody shoulder and shakily lifting himself from the grass to make his way over towards her.
When Naruto got to Hinata she stared at him with tearstained eyes before she latched on to him and began to cry into his chest. "N-Naruto-kun I'm so sorry I was weak…if only I were stronger."
Naruto not really knowing what to do to console Hinata started to rub her back soothingly. "Hey what is this nonsense you're spewing form your mouth?" Naruto questioned as he gathered his strength to form a grin. "If it weren't for you hitting Mizuki from behind with those strikes to his arm I would probably be dead right now." Naruto offered. "To be honest I pretty much owe my life to you now." Naruto finished.
Hinata gingerly pulled away from Naruto, before her eyes found the wound on his shoulder. "B-but I shouldn't of have been afraid, if only I would have come in earlier maybe…"
"Who knows what would have happened." Naruto cut Hinata off. "For all we know you waiting for that moment was the best move you could have done." Naruto assured Hinata. "So let's not try and get caught up into a bunch of what if's." Naruto suggested, as he finally took notice of Tsunade leaning over Kimimaro with Yakumo standing close by.
"Kimimaro" Naruto wordlessly mouthed, as he stood up from the ground and helping Hinata to her feet as he did so. "We have to go see if Kimimaro's going to be okay." Naruto suggested to Hinata who simply nodded in response.
Meanwhile Tsunade scrunched her eyebrows in frustration as she focused on the task of healing Kimimaro. His breathing was becoming more and more labored as time passed and Tsunade feared that she could lose him, if she didn't work fast.
"Damn it" Tsunade hissed through gritted teeth, as she pumped more green chakra into Kimimaro's throat. 'That bastard Mizuki, to think he'd do this to kids.' Tsunade thought hatefully. 'Makes me want to drag his ass back from the hell I've sent him to, only to send him right back.'
Tsunade had to shake herself of the thoughts so to remain focused on the task at hand. As this was going on Naruto, Yakumo, and Hinata stared at the scene apprehensively while Ino and Sakura were watching from a good distance.
"You think Kimimaro will be okay?" Ino questioned Sakura. Feeling fearful for the boy's life.
"I…don't know" Sakura answered quietly. "Mizuki-sensei did kick him pretty hard in the throat." Sakura finished.
Ino narrowed her eyes on Sakura. "Don't call that bastard Sensei." Ino shot back causing Sakura to flinch at the girls tone.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to, it just came out like that." Sakura supplied.
Ino sighed. "Forgive me I didn't mean to lash out at you." Ino apologized. "It's just this whole situation has gotten me really jumpy yah know?"
Sakura simply nodded her head in understanding.
A moment later Tsunade sighed in relief when she felt Kimimaro's impacted wind pipe pop back to its original shape, and the light in Kimimaro's eyes started to return as he began to breathe peacefully.
Kimimaro eyes fluttered a few times before he scanned over everyone that was knelt down by him. "T-Tsunade-sama?" Kimimaro choked out quietly.
Tsunade smiled down at Kimimaro, as she continued to heal some minor nerve damage that was done to his throat. "Don't speak Kimimaro-chan, your throat still hasn't recovered to a level I'd like." Tsunade advised.
Kimimaro could only nod his understanding, as he looked over towards his right where he could see Mizuki's corpse sprawled out a short distance away. Kimimaro allowed a small smile to grace his lips knowing that Mizuki was taking a nap of a more permanent kind.
(A moment Later)
Iruka came rushing out on to the scene followed by a few other teachers. He quickly surveyed his surroundings and he paled when his eyes met with Mizuki's lifeless corpse. Spotting Tsunade a short distance away apparently healing Kimimaro, Iruka was quickly able to put two and two together.
Shaking the thoughts from his mind he hastily made his way towards Tsunade while telling the other teachers to find and retrieve the students that had fled from the scene.
When Iruka made it to Tsunade he crouched down beside her and stared at Kimimaro worriedly. "Tsunade-sama will Kimimaro be okay?" Iruka asked quietly.
"Yes no thanks to that vile excuse for a man." Tsunade stated in a tight tone, causing Iruka to flinch a bit.
Iruka cast his head down in shame. "I'm sorry things happened like this." Iruka stated as he eyed Naruto and spotted the stab wound on his shoulder.
"Don't be" Tsunade offered. "You had nothing to do with this; you should feel no responsibility for how that man chose to act."
Iruka didn't respond to Tsunade's statement but turned his attention to Naruto. "You're injured Naruto perhaps I should escort you to the hospital?" Iruka offered.
"That won't be necessary" Tsunade cut in. "I'm just about finished with Kimimaro-chan and I'll tend to Naruto-chan next." Tsunade stated as the green chakra in her hands began to fade. "But in the meantime you can go and awake Haku-chan." Tsunade suggested as she tossed Iruka a tablet of smelling salt from her coat pocket.
Iruka caught the tablet and nodded, as he stood up to complete his task.
"That should just about do it." Tsunade finished as the green chakra in her hands completely dissipated. "But don't speak; you're still in no condition." Tsunade warned prompting a simple nod from Kimimaro.
"Nice to see you're still among the living." Naruto joked with a slight chuckle.
Kimimaro merely smiled in return not wanting to risk reinjuring his throat.
"I'm happy to see you're okay." Yakumo added quietly. "I actually believed we may have lost you." Yakumo concluded with a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks, causing Kimimaro to quirk his eyebrow in confusion.
"Now don't give our Kimimaro-chan so little credit." Tsunade added. "It'll take a lot more then that to keep this gaki down." Tsunade finished with a smile before ruffling the boys hair affectionately. "Now on to you Naruto-chan." Tsunade stated as she turned to face Naruto. "Lose the coat I'll need a good look at that wound."
Naruto obediently obliged as he removed his coat and shirt for good measure, causing Hinata to turn her head in embarrassment.
Tsuande chuckled a bit at Hinata's bashfulness before she eyed the stab wound on Naruto shoulder carefully. 'Seems the fox has already gone to work on repairing the damage.' Tsuande thought as she began to heal the wound. 'At least this will make healing him only half the effort I'd normally have to put in.' Tsunade concluded as the wound began to close up before their very eyes.
As this was going on Iruka waved the smelling salt under Haku's nose and his eyes fluttered open. Haku stared around with a confused expression on his face until his eyes finally settled on Iruka and Shino whom were both staring down at him.
"Iruka-sensei, Shino-san?" Haku asked curiously as he slowly lifted himself into an upright position. "What's going on?" Haku questioned before he gripped his head in pain as he became aware of his throbbing headache.
"You were engaged in combat with Mizuki." Shino answered bluntly. "I assume your head is currently in pain do to the blow Mizuki had delivered to you." Shino concluded.
The memories of the fight suddenly came crashing back into Haku's mind and his eyes widened as realization hit him. "Naruto-san, Kimimaro-san!" Haku shouted while desperately eyeing the area for his two best friends.
"Calm down" Iruka advised as he placed his hand on Haku's shoulder to keep him in place. "Their both just fine, Tsuande-sama is attending to that as we speak." Iruka concluded putting Haku's fears to rest.
Haku sighed in relief before he was finally able to locate not only Naruto, and Kimimaro but Mizuki's dead body that a teacher was in the process of covering up with a tarp.
Haku didn't know exactly what to think while eyeing Mizuki's body. He couldn't say he actually pitied the man, but was death to the teacher justified? He'd have much to think about Haku concluded as he turned his sights away from Mizuki's corpse.
Meanwhile Tsunade had just finished sealing up Naruto's shoulder as a squad of Anbu began to land around them. "Well you're good to go Naruto-chan." Tsunade stated as she observed the Anbu from the corner of her eyes, before she rounded on the nearest one. "Well it's about damn time you got here Kakashi." Tsunade stated furiously to the Anbu member with spiky silver hair.
Kakashi rubbed his head dumbly. "Forgive me Tsuande-sama, but we weren't aware of the situation until just a moment ago." Kakashi supplied. "After all the academy isn't usually under Anbu surveillance, because we assume all the teachers here are… trustworthy." Kakashi finished as he directed a venomous glare towards Mizuki's body that was now being taken away by two Anbu members.
Tsunade rubbed her temples. "Sorry Kakashi, it's just the thought of anything happening to my boys just pisses me off."
"I fully understand." Kakashi added, considering he felt the same way.
"Awe I didn't know you two cared about us that much." Naruto cut in with a shit eating grin etched on his face. "But who wouldn't love us we are pretty awesome after all." Naruto finished with haughtiness in his proclamation.
Kakashi eye smiled underneath his mask while Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"And where's your evidence of this considering someone just tried to kill you?" Tsunade challenged making Naruto shrink back in defeat. "That's what I thought." Tsunade concluded with her own grin, considering she always did find it amusing to put Naruto in his place at times.
"On a further not I'll report this to the Hokage immediately." Kakashi interjected.
Tsunade shrugged. "It's not really like Sarutobi-sensei can deal out any retribution for this considering I already have." Tsunade stated simply.
"True" Kakashi confirmed "But this is still something that has to be brought to his attention." Kakashi concluded before disappearing in a swirl of leaves along with the remaining Anbu members.
(Some Time Later)
Sarutobi was livid with anger even an hour after Kakashi explained to him what had transpired at the academy. He found it hard to believe that one of his trusted teachers was capable of committing such atrocities.
After he eventually calmed down, he massaged his temples wearily. "Tsunade's going to give me hell for this isn't she?" Sarutobi asked himself.
As if on cue Tsunade came barging into Sarutobi's office with an equally angered Shizune at her side.
Sarutobi looked up from his desk at the two woman before him, and he instantly knew things weren't about to go well.
"I'm withdrawing my boys from the academy." Tsunade stated bluntly not wanting to give the subject any form of argument.
Sarutobi sighed, not even he thought Tsunade would be willing to go to those lengths. "Tsunade." Sarutobi started, but was quickly cut off by Tsunade.
"I don't want to discuss it Sarutobi-sensei." Tsunade replied dryly. "My boys could have lost their lives today, and there's no way and hell I'm willing to put them back into a position like that."
"We'll train them full time for now on and have them return for the Genin exams when we think their ready." Shizune added in.
Sarutobi shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple." Sarutobi began. "You know we have rules and regulations that can't be broken. If Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro are to become field ninja of the leaf they have to complete the academy program it's the only way." Sarutobi finished, causing both woman to glare at him.
"That's bullshit and you know it Sarutobi-sensei." Tsunade retorted angrily. "Were just supposed to trust in these teachers we know nothing about? What if another one tries to pull the same shit huh?"
Sarutobi laced his fingers together. "Look Tsunade I'm sorry for what happened, but I can promise you it will never happen again." Sarutobi offered. "No one wants to see Naruto achieve his goals as much as I do" Sarutobi stated. "And I'll be willing to see to it that Naruto's under constant surveillance during his academy training if that will help reassure you." Sarutobi concluded.
"You just don't seem to get it." Tsunade shot back. "There are only a few I can really trust when it comes to Naruto-chan and frankly having even more powerful ninja around him doesn't make me feel any better. It's only a stroke of luck that, that Mizuki was such a weakling. If one of your Anbu guards decided to give Naruto their version of blind justice I doubt my boys will be able to hold out for very long." Tsunade finished.
Sarutobi took that moment to shuffle through his desk to locate his pipe. It was times like this that he thanked the heavens for tobacco. "Do you truly believe that the Anbu aren't loyal to me?" Sarutobi questioned while stuffing his pipe full of tobacco.
"Excuse me if I'm wrong Hokage-sama but aren't all your ninja supposed to be loyal to you?" Shizune challenged. "And from what I'm able to confirm was that Mizuki held his own interest above yours, who's to say one of your Anbu won't have a similar mindset?"
Sarutobi didn't answer, but lit his pipe instead and took a heavy drag. "Now I thought you two would have had more faith in me then that." Sarutobi answered after releasing the smoke from his mouth. "I've also accessed that possibility as well that's why I've chosen someone I know you can trust." Sarutobi concluded.
Shizune quirked her eyebrow. "You can't mean Kakashi-san." Shizune questioned. "He'd have a fit knowing he was reduced to pretty much babysitting."
"To the contrary." Sarutobi countered. "It would seem the safety of those three is also very important to Kakashi. He took the assignment without argument." Sarutobi concluded.
Tsunade smirked. 'To think that Kakashi of all people…' "Very well Sarutobi-sensei I'll allow them to continue their studies at the academy just so long as Kakashi keeps a close eye on them."
Sarutobi simply nodded his answer.
(Later That Night)
Naruto tossed and turned in his bed sheets; as much as he wanted to he just couldn't seem to fall asleep. Every time he shut his eyes images of Mizuki's death would replay in his mind.
Finally deciding he needed some fresh air to help clear his mind Naruto wrenched the covers away from his body and stealthily made his way out his room. Figuring the roof would be as good of a place as any to do some thinking that's where he headed.
Once he got there he was surprised to find he wasn't the only one who had the roof idea. "Haku whatdya doing up here?" Naruto questioned Haku whom was sitting on the far end of the roof looking up at the moon.
Haku turned around to face Naruto. "Seems I wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping." Haku stated with a smile.
Naruto simply nodded before he made his way over next to Haku. "I guess what happened today is what's on your mind to then?" Naruto asked as he took a seat next to Haku.
Haku nodded "Yes I still find today's events well…disturbing." Haku answered before he went back to staring up at the moon.
"Disturbing, how so?" Kimimaro questioned in a raspy voice as he let his presence be known.
Naruto and Haku both turned around to see Kimimaro staring at them with his arms folded a short distance away.
"Well is the roof a hotspot for those who can't sleep or what?" Naruto stated in a joking manner.
"Actually I wasn't having trouble sleeping." Kimimaro countered. "I was only curious to why you were sneaking out of your room at this time of night so I followed you." Kimimaro added as he made his way towards Naruto and Haku and took up the spot on Naruto's left. "Now care to explain what's bothering you so much considering you did not witness Mizuki's death personally." Kimimaro questioned Haku.
Haku was silent for a moment before he decided to answer. "What I find disturbing is why did Mizuki wish to harm Naruto-san?" Haku questioned curiously while eyeing Naruto.
Kimimaro quirked his eyebrow. "To be honest I haven't really thought about that myself." Kimimaro stated as he too went to staring at Naruto.
Naruto sighed, he'd always known he'd have to tell Haku and Kimimaro about his guest sooner or later though he always liked the option of later much more. Taking a deep breath Naruto started. "It's because of what's…inside me." Naruto stated quietly.
Both Haku and Kimimaro stared at Naruto questionably. So Naruto pressed on. "I'm a…Jinchuuriki."
"What's that?" Kimimaro asked innocently.
"It's what they call those who've had a demon sealed inside them." Naruto finished allowing what he told Haku and Kimimaro to sink in.
Kimimaro simply looked more confused while Haku looked thoughtful. "I see this demon inside of you must have done terrible things for those to actually take out their anger on you because of what it has done." Haku stated.
"It did." Naruto confirmed. "It took the lives of many people even my parents were killed by it." Naruto stated with anger laced on his lips. "And I can understand if you two choose to hate me as well." Naruto added.
Haku actually laughed, while Kimimaro just had an amused look on his face at Naruto's statement.
"You actually believe we'd hate you because of something like that?" Kimimaro questioned indignantly. "Me and Haku owe everything to you, and will never forsake or abandon you especially for something that's beyond your control."
Haku nodded his head in agreement. "Were best friends are we not? To think that we could ever hate you is actually quiet insulting." Haku stated with a tinge of hurt to his voice.
Naruto was simply quiet for a moment before both Haku and Kimimaro found themselves in headlocks courtesy of Naruto. "You two just might be the best friends anyone could ask for!" Naruto boasted loudly.
Both Haku and Kimimaro managed to free themselves from Naruto's grip.
"Were glad you think so." Haku stated. "Though we'd prefer not to be headlocked as a show of affection." Haku concluded.
"Yeah it's not like your sweaty pits are the freshest things known to men." Kimimaro added with a smirk.
"Jackass" Naruto muttered.
"Language Naruto-san" Haku scolded. "You know Shizune-nee doesn't approve of us swearing."
"It's not like she's here right now." Naruto shot back with a shrug. "So who's gonna stop me?" Naruto challenged.
"I just may have to stop you myself." Haku countered. "Shizune-nee did say I'm the most mature of us and should keep you two in line."
"Hmph keep us in line as if you could pull it off Haku." Naruto retorted.
"Was that a challenge Naruto-san?" Haku questioned with a sly grin.
"And what if it was?" Naruto retorted.
"Then prepare for battle." Haku stated as he threw himself at Naruto and the two began to playfully wrestle with one another.
Kimimaro chose to simply watch with a smile considering his throat was still a tad sore.
(Four Years Later)
Kimimaro loomed over Naruto's sleeping form with a sly grin plastered on his face. He had managed to sneak into Naruto's room without waking him and it was now time to have some fun. Snaking his hands underneath Naruto's mattress he smirked to himself as he flung the mattress right side up sending Naruto sailing across the room, and landing with an audible thump.
Kimimaro was about to begin laughing at how he had chosen to wake Naruto if only Naruto didn't burst into a cloud of smoke upon impact.
"Shadow clone?" Kimimaro muttered as his eyes slightly widened when he realized what was about to happen. But Naruto had already pounced on top of him and put his arm in an armbar.
"Hehe nice try Kimimaro." Naruto stated with a grin as he added more pressure to the armbar. "But it'll take more then that to prank a prank master."
"Fine you win this round, now get off me." Kimimaro demanded irritably.
Naruto relinquished his hold of Kimimaro and helped him into a standing position while noting the sour expression on Kimimaro's face. "Oh come on Kimimaro who the hell shoved a stick up your ass today. It's not like that armbar actually hurt you."
"It's not that." Kimimaro insisted. "It's just today's the Genin examination and that means we'll be dived into teams soon after." Kimimaro stated as he began to head for the exit of Naruto's room.
"And that put's you in a bad mood why?" Naruto asked curiously as he followed Kimimaro out his room.
"You moron." Kimimaro grumbled. "Ever since we've began this quest to become ninja the three of us have always talked about what an excellent team we'd make. But now that, that time is approaching I feel that…"
"There's a chance we won't be placed on the same team?" Naruto cut off Kimimaro.
"Yeah" Kimimaro stated as he plucked a muffin from the kitchen table as he passed it by, and Naruto did the same.
"I think you're worrying about nothing." Naruto stated as he bit into his muffin. "I'm sure Iruka-sensei knows the three of us make the best team possible, I mean were the top three students in the class."
Kimimaro sighed while wrenching the door open to head outside. "That's precisely why we may not be on the same team." Kimimaro countered.
"Enlighten me." Naruto asked not getting Kimimaro's point.
"Just think, where's the logic and placing the three best students on one team?" Kimimaro explained. "Wouldn't it make more sense to distribute our abilities among different teams?"
Naruto shrugged "Maybe, but teams are usually made to specialize in a certain filed right?"
"Well that is what Shizune-nee told us." Kimimaro supplied.
"Then it's settled then, our team will specialize in kicking ass!" Naruto boasted loudly earning some annoyed stares from nearby villagers.
"Yes I'm sure that they have a team for that purpose." Kimimaro stated with sarcasm.
"I'm only kidding." Naruto stated with slight punch to Kimimaro shoulder. "I'm just trying to get your mind off all the negatives, if were meant to be on a team together then we will." Naruto finished.
Kimimaro nodded choosing to leave the discussion alone for the time being.
(Ten Minutes Later)
Naruto and Kimimaro arrived at the academy and entered into an already bustling classroom. Naruto wasted no time in collapsing into his seat in between Haku and Hinata. While Kimimaro took up his usual spot between Yakumo and Ino.
Over the time Ino had forgone pursuing Sasuke, and opted to vide for Kimimaro's attention instead. This in turn helped repair her friendship with Sakura, but didn't put her and Yakumo on friendly terms. It was no secret to Ino that Yakumo had feelings for Kimimaro as well as her, and the two had come to view each other as rivals.
"I see you and Kimimaro-san made it on time." Haku noted to Naruto.
Naruto nodded as he looked over to Haku, whom had taken on a much more different appearance since he first met him. Haku's hair had grown drastically longer and would put even the most well groomed girl's hair to shame. His outfit had also changed; he was now wearing a dark blue hoodie that he left unzipped revealing a white shirt with a blue snowflake imprint on it. His pants were also dark blue and he wore a long white scarf around his waist.
"Yeah no thanks to you." Naruto responded. "Was there a reason you couldn't wait for us?" Naruto questioned.
"I recall mentioning that I was going to be heading out an hour early to help Hinata-san fine tune her weapons precision for the up and coming exams." Haku retorted. "But I guess that may have slipped your mind." Haku concluded.
Naruto rubbed his head bashfully. "I guess you did mention something like that last night." Naruto answered as he turned his head towards Hinata.
Hinata was another who'd had taken on drastic changes over the years. Apart from her clothing that now consisted of a thin white and lavender colored jacket, and lavender skirt that reached mid thigh which she wore dark purple ninja shorts underneath.
Her confidence and abilities had also grown with the guidance and support of not only Naruto, but Haku and Kimimaro as well. After the Mizuki incident Hinata and Naruto had become close friends and she occasionally trained with them when time allowed it. All and all Hinata was the strongest female among their class with Yakumo a close second and Ino just slightly trailing behind Yakumo.
"So how'd the weapons practice go with Haku eh Hinata-chan?" Naruto questioned curiously.
"It went well." Hinata answered. "I feel I'm fully prepared for the exams now considering weapons was the area I lacked in the most." Hinata explained.
Naruto nodded as he pulled out a rose from his pocket and placed it in his mouth chewing on the stem.
Sasuke whom was seated next to Sakura a short distance away glared at Naruto. After hearing of the Mizuki incident he'd come to despise not only Naruto, but Kimimaro and Haku as well. He couldn't believe that they were able to go toe to toe with a chunin. He reluctantly admitted to himself that he wouldn't have had a chance in hell had it been him four years ago. But the fact that Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro had all dethroned him from his top ranking status placing him at number four among their class only fueled his rage all the more.
'Damn you Uzumaki.' Sasuke thought venomously as he eyed him carefully. 'Just wait until my Sharingan activates then I'll put you along with your two cronies in your proper places.'
As this was going on Iruka took that moment to enter into the classroom. "Alright settle down all of you." Iruka called out as he eyed all the students before him. "I know everyone's excited about the exams, but before we get to that lets have roll call."
Naruto only half listened to Iruka go through roll call as his mind was more focused on other things, like getting his hands on a leaf headband.
After Iruka finished with roll call he began a prepared speech on how they were at the final crossroad of their training underneath him and would soon embark on real ninja duties. After Iruka had finished he explained to the students how the testing would proceed and so began the Genin exams.
(Elsewhere)
Sarutobi stared at the four Jonin before him that would be taking on this years most promising students apart from the four Jonin that were in the room Tsunade was there as well considering her boys were the main topic of discussion. It was no question to Sarutobi who would pass the Genin exams so he decided to get on with team placement a head of schedule.
He just never thought that brining in the four Jonin was going to cause him such a headache.
"Are you kidding me Shizune-san you actually want all three boys on your squad how's that fair in the slightest?" Asuma questioned Shizune.
"Because despite them being the top three students, their real strength only shows in their team work." Shizune countered.
"Regardless of that fact it makes more sense to distribute them evenly does it not?" Kurenai interjected. "After all there are three of them one for each of us considering Kakashi will be taking on the Uchiha whose abilities are close enough to theirs."
"No I don't think it makes more sense to break them up." Tsuande cut in. "They've been living and training with each other for years, and know each other inside and out their teamwork is flawless." Tsunade concluded.
"Ok let's just say if keeping them together is the best move, why does Shizune-san get to be the one that trains them?" Asuma retorted.
Kakashi took that moment to snap his book closed. "Don't forget Asuma that we were each given a specific field of which our students will specialize in."
Sarutobi nodded. "Yes Asuma you were assigned espionage, while Kurenai was given a tracking unit, Kakashi's team was to specialize in heavy combat, and Shizune has assassination."
"And to be honest Assassination and Heavy combat is where we will need the strongest of the students to be assigned." Sarutobi explained to the four Jonin before him. "Considering those are the two fields with the greatest amount of risk." Sarutobi concluded.
Both Asuma and Kurenai looked dejected at the statement for they already knew they were out of the running for the three boys. Kurenai was hoping to have either Naruto or Haku placed on her team considering they both had a charm to them that would complement any team well. Asuma on the other hand wanted Kimimaro considering they both preferred melee weapons he figured there was a lot he had to offer to Kimimaro.
"Now I appreciate everyone's input on the matter but I'll make the final team placements myself." Sarutobi stated. "So as of now you're dismissed and will be informed of your final teams' later today after the testing is complete." Sarutobi finished.
The four Jonin nodded and left out of Sarutobi's office. Sarutobi leaned back deep into his chair, and sighed contently, before addressing Tsunade. "To think that team placement was actually going to prove difficult." Sarutobi grumbled.
"No you're just making it more difficult then it has to be Sarutobi-sensei." Tsunade countered. "You've always been one to preach teamwork have you not?"
Sarutobi didn't answer but continued to just stare at Tsunade.
Tsunade simply pressed on ignoring Sarutobi's lack of response. "If teamwork is something you view as so important then the decision to place Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro on the same team should be the easiest choice you've ever had to make." Tsunade finished before standing up from her seat.
"You can't forget that teams are to comprise of two males and one female, and considering that, I'll have to at least split one of the boys from the team." Sarutobi explained.
"Excuse me if I'm wrong but you're the Hokage and team placement is fully under you authority." Tsunade stated. "Well you have my input but it's ultimately up to you considering they will be under your command. I just hope you make the right choice." Tsunade added before leaving Sarutobi alone in his office.
Sarutobi rubbed his temples tiredly, as he looked down at the photos and bios of dozens of students. Figuring it would be best to get it over with he began to group the students into what he believed were suitable choices.
Alright another chapter completed. Anyway the Genin exam and Team placement will be next chapter so I hope you're looking forward to it. And I know this chapter was pretty much just talking, but I can't just throw in fights randomly just to keep people entertained, but don't worry there will be one next chapter. Anyway please review and I'll see you with the next chapter.