Not much to say besides thanks to the people that reviewed. Anyway I hope I can continue to please with this story if not…well let's just hope it doesn't' come to that.
Chapter 12: Team Placement
Naruto, Kimimaro, and Haku were making their way towards the academy at an even pace. Today was the day they would be assigned their official teams and embark on the journey of true ninja.
Naruto couldn't help the grin on his face as he played with his forehead protector that was firmly fastened to his forehead keeping his bangs out of his eyes. "You guys got to admit I look pretty damn good in this, like it was costumed tailored for me."
"In a way it was." Haku stated. "You did have that cloth specially made did you not?" Haku questioned as he eyed Naruto's headband that was deep crimson colored and much longer then the standard blue leaf head band.
"Yeah it was." Naruto answered as he put his hands behind his head. "I just thought the blue would clash with all the green and red that I wear yah know?" Naruto answered casually.
"Its quiet funny the pride you take in your appearance." Haku supplied with a slight chuckle.
"What I want my enemy's to know I mean business." Naruto answered with a shrug. "I mean who's going to take a guy serious that can't even match his colors right?"
"You sound like you've been taking fashion tips from Ino-chan." Kimimaro noted.
"Aren't you one to talk?" Naruto challenged. "After all you also changed the fabric on your headband." Naruto stated as he stared at Kimimaro's purple variant of the leaf headband.
Kimimaro simply chose not to retort to Naruto's argument and continued on his path silently.
Naruto grinned seeing that he managed to one up Kimimaro once again. He'd actually been doing a lot of that lately the more he thought about it. He even recalled what had happened the previous day.
(Flashback)
"Alright the Genin exams will proceed as followed." Iruka explained to his anxious class. "We'll start off with the written portion that will test you on practical knowledge, and strategy."
Naruto instantly grumbled at this. Shizune had done more then her part in drilling in the basics and practical knowledge into his mind, but in no shape or form was he particularly thrilled about this portion of the exam.
Seeing the less then enthused expressions on his students faces Iruka continued. "After the written half we'll move on to the weapons portion, followed by Ninjutsu." Iruka explained.
"Will there be no Taijustu portion of the test?" Kimimaro interjected considering that was were he prevailed.
"No" Iruka answered simply. "Throughout the years you've been here we've got a good idea of where you stand with Taijutsu, and you're all up to par so there won't be a need for it." Iruka concluded. "Now if there are no more questions I'd like to get things moving." Iruka finished as a table appeared behind him littered with leaf headbands on it.
Naruto was practically salivating as he eyed the blue clothe headbands that adorned a metal template with the leaf insignia etched on the front.
"If you manage to pass all three portions of the test you'll be rewarded with one of these." Iruka stated as he motioned to the leaf headbands behind him. "And you'll officially be known as a ninja of the hidden leaf village."
"Then what are we waiting for!?" Naruto interjected loudly. "I want my hands on one of those so let's just do this already!" While a few other eager students nodded their heads in agreement.
Iruka smiled at his students' enthusiasm. "Very well Naruto we'll begin immediately." Iruka stated as he went around the classroom handing out the written portion of the exam. "You have thirty minutes to complete the test." Iruka added as he set a timer to go off after thirty minutes.
Haku looked at his sheet when it was presented in front of him and he nearly chuckled at its simplicity. 'I could have answered these questions during the first year of the academy.' Haku thought as he began to mark down his answers without any forethought to them.
Meanwhile Naruto squinted his eyes as he read over each question. He secretly thanked the heavens for Shizune's lessons, and he began to mark down his answers with much vigor.
After the timer had gone off Iruka collected the test, and proceeded to grade them. It came as no surprise that Haku had received the highest marks among the class followed by Sakura who had come a close second to Haku.
"Well class you did that fairly well, I'm impressed." Iruka stated as he congratulated all his students for passing the written portion.
The class was then brought outside to complete the weapons portion. The test in itself was simple enough. Each student was required to use kunai but were given the choice for their second weapon being either senbon or shrunken. Once they had chosen what they preferred the students were to hit a serious of different targets at different distances.
Haku had easily won out when it came to senbon precision, but was bested by Kimimaro at kunai. Naruto on the other hand had come out fairly average, considering he preferred to use his plant style Ninjutsu for projectile weapons as opposed to traditional forged ones.
The final part of the exam was the Ninjutsu portion. Each student was to demonstrate their ability to use substitution, transformation, and clone Jutsu. The test overall proved lackluster as each student was easily able to perform the required Jutsu.
Iruka had to admit to himself he was fairly impressed with his current flock of students. Each one of them had passed with flying colors, well all except for Shikamaru who only seemed to give a half effort to everything he did.
The only thing left for Iruka was to present the award for rookie of the year, which is where he discovered his problem. After reviewing over all the students overall grades and performances throughout their time during the academy he found that two of his students were in a dead tie for first.
Once Iruka had figured out how to approach the situation he called for his student's attention. "Alright class settle down." Iruka stated trying to calm his practically giddy students, but they simply ignored him being too excited for having just become Genin. "I said quiet!" Iruka tried again in a much louder tone gaining the desired effect on his class.
"Good now I originally planned to present the award for rookie of the year and send you on your way, but it appears there's a tie for the award." Iruka explained to his class.
"Well since it ain't me can I just go home?" Shikamaru asked in a lazy tone.
"No" Iruka answered bluntly. "This award is very important and I want everyone to be here for it."
"Then just spit it out already." Kiba ordered while his small dog Akamaru barked his apparent agreement.
"Well it would appear our tie is between Naruto Uzumaki and Kimimaro Kaguya." Iruka explained as his eyes darted back and forth between Naruto and Kimimaro to gage their reaction. He was surprised to find Naruto merely had a raised eyebrow and Kimimaro face portrayed a look of indifference to the matter.
"Great we have two rookies of the year, so can we go now." Shikamaru piped back in.
"Afraid not Shikamaru." Iruka retorted. "To put it simple we can't have a tie for rookie of the year so the two of them will be required to have some form of tie breaker."
"Well can we just flip a coin and call it a day?" Kiba questioned feeling irritated considering he was ready to get home and celebrate his ascension to Genin.
"Now where would the fairness be in that?" Iruka shot back. "The two of them will be required to have a match to determine whose rookie of the year." Iruka concluded.
Naruto eyes slightly widened as he looked down at Kimimaro. Considering he'd lived and trained with Kimimaro for years he'd had plenty of matches against him, but most had turned out in Kimimaro's favor.
Kimimaro on the other hand was considering just forfeiting the award to Naruto. Gaining rookie of the year meant next to nothing to him. But he knew Naruto would never accept being handed the award, he was too proud and stubborn for that so he'd make him work for it.
"So do either of you have any objections to this?" Iruka asked.
Naruto and Kimimaro both eyed each other before they shared equally large grins.
"No problems here Iruka-sensei" Naruto answered while cracking his knuckles.
"Likewise" Kimimaro stated simply.
Iruka nodded. "Very well, then lets get this underway shall we?"
(Ten Minutes Later)
The class had gathered around in a circle fashion to watch the fight that was soon to take place. After the Mizuki incident many students had come to admire Naruto, Kimimaro, and Haku, and any fight between the three was a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Plus the fact that something was actually on the line would make the fight that much more entertaining to watch.
"So who do you think will emerge triumphant?" Shino questioned Haku, whom he was standing next to.
"To be honest I'm not sure." Haku answered quietly. "Naruto-san and Kimimaro-san have very mixed results when it comes to their matches. I believe Kimimaro-san has slightly more victories, but Naruto-san can be very unpredictable." Haku answered while trying to keep an unbiased opinion on the outcome.
"Come on stop trying to act like yah don't have an idea of whose gonna win." Kiba cut in. "You've seen them fight plenty of times and there's no way you can't have even a guess."
"Sorry but I truly don't" Haku confirmed. "Like the rest of you I'm just as curious about the outcome of this match as well."
Meanwhile Naruto and Kimimaro eyed each other carefully, both sizing up one another. Iruka then took that moment to step in between the two boys.
"Ok you two the rules will go as followed." Iruka began to explain. "For the most part it will be a lot like our normal sparring matches, but you two are free to use Ninjutsu as well. But by no means are you to use potentially fatal force is that understood?"
Both boys simply nodded their understanding.
"Alright then let's begin." Iruka stated as he chopped his hand down and leapt out of the way.
To Iruka and the rest of the class surprise neither boy moved right away, but simply stared at one another, before they began to inch closer.
"Not rushing in as usual." Kimimaro noted as he inched his way closer while keeping his guard up. "You must be taking this quiet seriously then."
"And if I am?" Naruto challenged before he sprang himself at Kimimaro.
Kimimaro easily dodged under Naruto's attempt to flatten him with a left hook and retaliated with a leg sweep of his own. Naruto quickly hopped over the attempted leg sweep and brought up his forearm to block Kimimaro's follow up strike.
Naruto slightly grimaced at the impact but brushed it aside as he fired off a straight right jab towards Kimimaro's chest only for Kimimaro to brush the hit aside effortlessly. Kimimaro instantly lashed out with a high knee attempt to Naruto's gut but Naruto was able to pivot out of the way. Seeing Kimimaro was slightly off balance Naruto landed a hard elbow to Kimimaro's chin that sent him reeling backwards.
The students watching the confrontation let out large cheers of approval as some began a Kimimaro chant while others were screaming for Naruto.
Sasuke on the other hand scowled as he watched his two rivals exchange blows. He wanted nothing more then to be in the ring at that moment to prove his superiority.
Meanwhile Kimimaro smirked as he wiped away the small trickle of blood from his lip. "Not bad Naruto, but let's up the ante shall we?" Kimimaro stated as he pulled down his shirt causing his fan girls to fawn, but their lustful desires were quickly replaced with disgust as Kimimaro wrenched a sharp bone like sword from his shoulder. In all the time that most had known Kimimaro, him wrenching out bones from his body was something they just couldn't get used to.
"Fine with me." Naruto stated as he pulled a seed from behind his ear that quickly bloomed into a rose.
The class watched with interest wondering exactly what Naruto would do with the rose. Over the years watching what Naruto could do with plants had become one of the highlights of the class, and Naruto never failed to impress.
"Ninja art: Rose whip" Naruto muttered as the rose in his hand began to extend while the thorns sharpened.
Kimimaro cocked his eyebrow at the strange weapon Naruto forged before he shifted into a more appropriate stance to utilize his bone sword.
"So what do you think Kimimaro?" Naruto asked as he cracked his whip hard shredding the ground where it hit to demonstrate his weapons power. "To be honest I don't have much practice with this thing, but I was able to turn a tree into mulch with it so let's see how good it fares against your bones?" Naruto challenged while launching his whip recklessly towards Kimimaro.
Kimimaro nimbly avoided the whip and shot out a barrage of finger bullets towards Naruto. Naruto saw the incoming bullets and used his whip to lash out at them shredding them to dust.
Kimimaro's eyes slightly widened. "You can actually cut through by drilling finger bullets with that whip?'
Naruto grinned wickedly. "You bet the thorns on this whip are about as hard as steel." Naruto explained as he began to lash out with his whip with more vigor then before.
Kimimaro was able to dodge between Naruto's strikes and close the distance rendering the whip practically useless. "That whip is dangerous but not so much in close quarters." Kimimaro stated as he swiped his bone sword towards Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto tried to avoid the blow, but Kimimaro proved too swift and his sword dug into Naruto's shoulder. Naruto grit his teeth in pain but countered with a kick to Kimimaro's chin sending both boys skidding away from one another.
Nartuo observed his wound and frowned when he noticed it was quiet shallow. "Look I know were friends in all but you could have cut a bit deeper." Naruto stated out loud. "It's obviously harder for you to fight me if you keep holding back."
"Sorry, but fighting for something as meaningless as rookie of the year is no reason for me to endanger my friend." Kimimaro shot back.
Naruto sighed. "I don't care about that title either, but I still want a good match out of this." Naruto countered. "You know I'll heal up just fine with what ever you do to me, so stop holding back and fight for real!" Naruto shouted as he charged Kimimaro head on while flipping though hand seals. "Shadow clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted as a good twenty or so Naruto's sprang into existence.
Each clone including Naruto began to form more hand seals and shouted in unison. "Ninja art: Ensnaring foliage!" A huge assortment of vines sprang from the sleeves of Naruto and his clones and barreled towards Kimimaro.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes on the incoming attack and leapt into the air and bones began to sprout form all available spots on his body. "Dance of the Larch." Kimimaro muttered as he began spinning rapidly shredding the incoming vines to confetti.
"Should have seen that one coming." Naruto stated before he opted to try and overwhelm Kimimaro with his clones.
Kimimaro waited patiently for the clones to arrive before he stated. "Dance of the Camellia" Kimimaro readied his bone sword and began to tear through Naruto's squad of clones.
Naruto grit his teeth as he watched Kimimaro dispatch his clones without getting as much as a scratch.
"Sorry Naruto, but I have too much practice with your clones; you'll need to come up with something else to get past my defenses."
"I already have." Naruto supplied with a toothy grin.
"I don't know what you mean." Kimimaro stated with a confused expression on his face as he eyed Naruto carefully.
"You don't huh?" Naruto stated as he pointed to Kimimaro's left ear. "Have a look at that."
Kimimaro fiddled with his hair for a moment before he plucked out an entirely white flower. His eyes widened as he realized what he was holding and he quickly tried to chuck it away but the flower's roots had already ensnared him and bound him tight.
"Seems Naruto-san has won the match." Haku stated out loud causing most to raise their eyebrows at the proclamation.
"But can't Kimimaro just cut his way out of that; I mean those roots look pretty flimsy after all?" Kiba asked with a bewildered expression on his face.
"Of course he could, but he will acknowledged defeat instead." Haku answered.
"But why would Kimimaro-kun do that if he can free himself." Yakumo interjected.
"For the simple fact that this match was over the moment Naruto-san managed to get that flower behind Kimimaro-san's ear." Haku explained.
"Please elaborate." Shino inquired as he adjusted his shades.
"That flower is one of Naruto-san's most efficient attacks for taking down opponents." Haku explained. "It contains a high amount of poisons within it that are only amplified by Naruto's abilities. If you were to look closely at the flower you would notice it's covered completely in tiny barbs that dig into the skin, this way the poison can enter directly into the blood stream. So if Kimimaro were to slice his way though those roots the poison will be released and there will be nothing he could do to stop the poison from entering his body." Haku concluded.
Meanwhile Naruto walked up to Kimimaro casually with a triumphant grin on his face. "So what's it gonna be Kimimaro?"
Kimimaro simply smirked. "So when exactly did you get the flower on me?" Kimimaro questioned curiously.
Naruto put his hand on his chin in a thinking pose. "Hm probably around the time I elbowed you in the chin. I guess you were into much of a daze to notice me flick the seed into your hair."
"Hn very well." Kimimaro stated, as he turned his attention to Iruka. "Iruka-sensei I submit."
Naruto's fan section let out cheers for Naruto while the Kimimaro fans that had lost bets on the fight mumbled something's under their breath.
"Sounds like your fans are a bit disappointed in you Kimimaro." Naruto stated as he willed the flowers roots to recede, and helped Kimimaro to a standing position.
"I can't be expected to win every fight." Kimimaro offered, as Iruka strolled up to the two boys.
"That was quiet the show you two put on." Iruka praised. "In fact I'd forgotten I was even watching Genin." He added with a touch of admiration.
"It was nothing." Naruto responded with a grin.
"But now can we leave now that we got this rookie of the year nonsense out of the way?" Shikamaru questioned considering he was ready to get as far away from the academy as he possibly could.
"Yes that's fine Shikamaru you're free to leave. As for you Naruto you'll be mailed the official certificate in a bout a week's time."
Naruto simply nodded his acknowledgement.
"As for everyone else, remember to report here tomorrow for team assignments is that understood?" Iruka questioned, and was rewarded with a combined yes Iurka-sensei.
(End Flashback)
Naruto was brought out of his own mussing as he Kimimaro, and Haku had finally reached the academy, and made it to their old classroom.
"Well guys this is it." Naruto stated as he put his hand on the sliding door. "This is where we become the real deal." Naruto concluded as he slid open the door.
The classroom was already filled with Genin that had passed their test, and everyone were standing around anxiously. Some conversing to each other about whose team they'd be on or whose team that hoped to be on. Naruto was surprised to hear his name come up quiet often, but not as much as Haku, or Kimimaro. It seemed pretty much every girl was hopping to be teamed with either Sasuke, Kimimaro, or Haku.
Naruto just couldn't make heads or tails of it. Why did so many girls fawn over Sasuke, by class standards he was deemed weaker then himself Kimimaro, and Haku for that matter but so many still praised him. Not to mention the guys personality was the least desirable thing about him.
Naruto choose to cast the thoughts aside as he took up his usual spot next to Hinata and Haku set to Naruto's right. Kimimaro set down in his usual seat between Yakumo and Ino, much to his fan girls displeasure.
While the rest of the fan girls were arguing over the empty seat next to Sasuke, but ultimately lost out to Sakura for the position.
"I can't believe I used to be one of them." Ino stated in disgust as she watched the dejected looks on the girl's faces that had lost to Sakura for the empty seat next to Sasuke.
"And the way you fawn over Kimimaro-kun is any different?" Yakumo challenged.
"Watch it Kurama." Ino hissed back. "Besides if I'm a fan girl for simply liking someone what does that make you huh?"
"I'm a respectable Kunoichi." Yakumo shot back. "Never once have I forgone my training for the likes of a boy."
"That was in the past in you know it Yakumo." Ino retorted. "Ever since I've ditched the silly fantasy I had of Sasuke I've strived to make myself better."
Kimimaro rubbed his temples wearily, before he cut in on the two girls before the situation got heated. "Yakumo-chan Ino-chan must you two fight all the time? It's not very appealing to watch two beautiful girls bicker for no apparent reason." Kimimaro stated causing both girls to blush. After four years of the two girls arguing over him he'd found the best method to stopping them was to simply complement the both of them, and it usually worked.
"When is Kimimaro ever going to learn that he just needs to pick one of them already?" Naruto questioned. "I mean their just going to keep arguing with each other until he chooses one."
"Have you ever thought that Kimimaro-san may have feelings for both Ino-san and Yakumo-san?" Haku asked.
"Guess not." Naruto replied with a shrug as he leaned back in his chair. "It's a good thing I don't have problems like that."
"Yes I assume things are fairly less complicated when you only have one girl striving for your attention right Hinata-san" Haku stated with a slight grin as he winked at Hinata whom instantly blushed.
Naruto quirked his eyebrow at the exchange before he frowned. "Hey you'd better not be trying to get fresh with Hinata-chan." Naruto warned.
"Why, would that bother you?" Haku pried as he prayed on Naruto's density.
"Well I don't… the thing is… just don't do it okay." Naruto stated as he folded his arms over his chest.
Haku chuckled to himself. "I assure you Naruto-san, I don't view Hinata-san in that way at all. I like to think of her as an adorable little sister."
Naruto sighed in relief, even though he couldn't figure out why he was relieved. Thankfully for Naruto he didn't have to think to hard on the subject for Iruka had entered into the classroom.
"Settle down settle down." Iruka stated as he entered the noisy classroom. "I know were all excited but I really need you to be quiet right about now." Iruka chorused as he positioned himself in front of his class. "As of today you're all officially ninja, meaning your training under me is officially at an end." Iruka stated a tad bit mournful. "You'll soon be divided into teams and receive a Jonin instructor that will continue your ninja training."
"Now before I read off the teams I want each of you to know that these teams were assigned by the Hokage himself and in no shape or form shall they be changed. So if you don't like your team suck it up because that's just too bad." Iruka explained as he began to read off the teams one by one.
As each name was read off Naruto's, Kimimaro's, and Haku's anxiety levels rose dramatically. Each one of them were hoping beyond hope that they would be placed on the same team and they held on to every name Iruka read off.
Finally Iruka reached team six. And Naruto's heart jumped in his throat when his name was announced.
"Team six will comprise of Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Hinata, and Fuyu Haku."
"Damn" Kimimaro muttered to himself, as he realized he wouldn't be on Naruto and Haku's team.
Hinata silently wanted to jump for joy when she heard her name announced alongside Naruto's. But apart of her felt bad that Kimimaro wasn't placed on Naruto's team instead of her.
Meanwhile Naruto felt bad about Kimimaro not being placed on his team, but Hinata he figured was a fair trade, especially considering he could have been stuck with Sasuke.
Haku was in a similar fix as Naruto, although he suspected as much considering teams were usually comprised of two males and one female. The whole ordeal only made sense that they would be split up.
"Team six's Jonin-sensei will be Yukki Shizune." Iruka concluded.
Naruto and Haku both grinned to each other after hearing Shizune would be their Jonin-sensei.
Iruka then continued. "Team seven will be Uchiha Sasuke, Kurama Yakumo, and Kaguya Kimimaro, and your Jonin-sensei will be Hatake Kakashi." Iruka finished.
"What!" Sakura shouted as she sprang from her seat. "Why is Yakumo being placed on Sasuke's team instead of me!?"
Iruka sighed figuring if anyone was to object to that arrangement it would surely be Sakura. "I'm sorry Sakura, but team seven is designed to be strictly combat oriented and frankly put your physical skills are too subpar to have you placed on this team."
The kids among the class erupted into a fit of laugher seeing Sakura completely shut down by Iruka.
Sasuke on the other hand grinned at the prospect of being able to compete with Kimimaro. He'd use the boy as a measuring stick for his own abilities.
Kimimaro simply remained stoic he was thankful that Yakumo was placed on his team and the fact that Kakashi was going to be their Jonin-sensei was a bonus. He figured that Sasuke wouldn't be that bad to put up with as long as he had Yakumo and Kakashi.
Yakumo chose to try and keep a look of indifference on her face although she was failing miserably at the attempt.
Ino cursed her luck but refused to make a fool out of herself as Sakura had done and she simply choose to live with the fact that she wouldn't be on Kimimaro's team.
"As for team eight" Iruka piped back in. "Will comprise of Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino, and Aburame Shino, your Jonin-sensei will be Yuuhi Kurenai."
Kiba simply grinned, while Shino adjusted his shades, and Ino cocked her eyebrow. She figured is she wasn't placed on Kimimaro's team that most likely she would be assigned on a team with Shikamaru and Choji considering their dads had once formed a team. The new developments intrigued her and she was interested to find out the reasons why.
"Moving on to team ten considering team nine is still in circulation. Nara Shikamaru, Haruno Sakura, and Akimichi Chouji, your Jonin-sensei will be Sarutobi Asuma." Iruka concluded.
A loud thump signified Sakura's face had hit her desk, she was obviously not happy with her team. Shikamaru simply shrugged and went back to sleep, while Choji was just content with eating his chips.
"Alright class you're are free to go have lunch now and your Jonin-sensei will pick you up here once you return. I encourage you to have lunch with your new teams so that you may get to know each other. And I wish each and everyone of you the best of luck." Iruka conclude.
Alrighty that's the end of the chap, I hope you liked. Team placements are always fun in my opinion, and I decided to not place the three boys on the same team because I figured I could do more with the story if I separated them. Also has anyone checked out manga chapter 480? I wont spoil it for you because the ending was quite the surprise, but it gives me hope that Sasuke is definitely too bad now to redeem and will eventually be killed. What do you guys think about that? Anyway please review and I'll catch you with the next chapter.