Naruto laughed as he leapt across the rooftops of the village! The exhilaration of finally being home was unreal! He hadn't felt this good since before he'd left! Five years!
'I've missed home so much, Kurama!'
'Yeah, yeah, might wanna reel it in your spooking the patrols.' He blinked as he realized he was indeed spooking an Anbu patrol and laughed and waved at them.
"Sorry! Sorry! No emergency, just excited to be home!" They continued on their way and Naruto just chuckled in embarrassment.
He was home! He gave a whoop as he leapt across the buildings and laughed in sheer delight. He was home and he wouldn't have to leave any time soon!
Man, the past five years had been amazing but it had felt like forever! Most of his time spent in Oda-dono's palace left him feeling super cooped up. His month long travels always ended so early- and he'd mainly only had clone-memories of the village from when he'd send one out to Kabuto for updates. C1 always did his best to check in on everyone for him, but Naruto found that after extensively using shadow clones to train for years on end had started to effect him more. Their memories were easier to differentiate from his own- they felt… Pale. Like movies. It just wasn't the same.
He landed on a rooftop and peered down at the academy. It seemed the batch of students training were sparring- and there was Sasuke. His eyes shifted towards the bleachers and there was Sai watching over him. Good. He'd worried he'd be breaking his promise to Itachi to keep his younger brother safe, but it seemed he was able to do so perfectly from afar. He leapt up and away before even Sai could note his presence and headed to the Sarutobi complex. He peeked over the wall but didn't see anyone in the gardens.
He went to the library and was shocked to see a new head-librarian. It seemed the building had also been granted a hefty increase in funding as there was an entirely new wing- and hundreds of people quietly milled about reading books! 'If you aren't able to do anything else for them, at least you manipulated your villagers to enjoy being literate.'
'Oh, hush. I didn't force them to want to read.'
'No, I'm sure the hundreds of generic looking clones milling about in the library every day for years on end did absolutely nothing to make it seen as a popular local venue.'
Naruto pouted and leapt away. There was one last place he wanted to stop by before he inevitably had to check in with the Sandaime. His stomach grumbled loudly as soon as he got closer to his destination.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Is that- Naruto! Haha, welcome in!" Teuchi grinned and walked around the counter to give him a hug, "It's been to long!"
"What!? Naruto?" Ayame stuck her head out from the back and gave him a wide grin, "Welcome back! It is you- oh boy! Right! I'll get you your own pot of miso ramen going right now! It's so good to see you again!"
Naruto laughed happily as he hugged the chef back. The Ichiraku's were good people and he really had missed them- and their food- while he was gone. It was so nice to be back!
He sat down on a stool as Teuchi started working on his food. His grin widened even more as he sensed someone appear down the street and head into the stall from behind him. He didn't give them a moment to announce their presence before he jumped off his seat and leapt into them with his arms outstretched.
"Kakashi-ni!"
"Haha, Naruto!" Though he had grown a few inches in the five years he'd been gone, Kakashi still effortlessly picked him up and swung him around in circle before setting him back down. Naruto beamed up at him and was secretly glad that it seemed that he hadn't changed at all!
Well- except for the fact that he felt much stronger. It seems he hadn't been the only one to train like crazy in the last five years.
"I thought you'd stop by here first. Mind if I share a meal with you before we head in to see Sarutobi-dono?"
"Hell yes! Teuchi! Double the order! It's time to see if we can still put your delicious ramen away like we used to!"
"You got it! One Uzumaki-Hatake Ramen Off Deluxe coming up!"
Hinata panted as sweat dripped down her brow. Her form did not falter in the face of exhaustion.
Her opponent did not falter either. His breathing stayed measured but Hinata saw the trembling of his lungs through his ribcage. Saw the speed of his heart beating. Watched his chakra flowing with near perfect control to reinforce his limbs. Saw him scowl at her activated dojutsu leveled in his direction.
She smirked arrogantly in his exact same manner as his normal eyes glared at her. Sasuke Uchiha was starting to become insecure and sensitive about his lack of Sharingan.
Hinata had found it to be an excellent button to press in their spars to push her advantage. Lately, they'd been stalemating more and more often.
"And match!" Sai called just as she and Sasuke both breathed in to close the gap once more. They both immediately fell out of their stances and relaxed. Stalemate. Again.
There was a point where she had been proud everytime they tied since it meant that he hadn't beaten her. Now though, it was just frustrating that she couldn't ever win.
They both stepped forward and shook as etiquette demanded even though their grips struggled to crush each other. Every single thing was a competition with the Uchiha. He was such an ass.
"Excellent. Your training has served you both well." Sai pocketed the timer he used to make sure they didn't run over the academy's lunch break. One time their bought had taken so long that when they returned Iruka had accused them of skipping class and called their parents. Sai found it imperative they never mess up like that again. They sat down as Sai threw them their lunches and they both wordlessly began to dig in as he cleared his throat for a debrief. They only had five minutes to eat and get to class after all.
"You're both ready. You've met my standards. All that's left is to take our graduation exams and then we'll be placed on our genin-teams." Sasuske scoffed but Hinata rolled her eyes. The Uchiha had decided a few months ago he'd rather seek out Chunin advancement out the gate thinking he'd learned all he needed from Sai. Sai had offered to spar him no holds barred then and there.
It was no contest. Hinata was just saddened at what Sai must have gone through in his life to have that strength so early. Still- it was nice to see Sasuke taken down a peg.
"Yes, yes, Sasuke, we know your views on it. Now, ideally, we'll want all three to be on the same squad. Luckily, there are some variables that put that into our favor."
Sasuke crossed his arms as he finished his food (Hinata paced herself out a little bit more conservatively than his gluttonous speed while eating) and smirked, "Because of Ino-Shika-Cho?"
Sai smiled gently and nodded, "Those clans are fond of pressuring the Hokage to set up teams with that formation in mind as often as possible. That leaves just six genin hopefuls of which we take up three slots. Our odds are higher if the formation is kept together."
"Just six? I'm sure more of our class will graduate." Hinata was sure that nearly all of her classmates would become genin in some capacity. At least, if what she'd overheard her father talking to the clan elders was to believed. For the last few years the village had really been amping up their rosters of active shinobi…
Sai just nodded, "They will. But, the clan heirs are likely to be kept not only together but given a sharper focus in team placements and calibre of senseis. Which, if means if Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji are placed together that would leave; the three of us, Shino, Kiba, and Sakura. Luckily, there is also another dependable team selection we could utilize. To balance teams out and improve the bottom of the barrel candidates they are usually placed with those who have scored the highest marks and those who excel but struggle in one area."
Sasuke frowned, "Like, top ranking, mid ranking, and bottom ranking?"
"Indeed. We could leave our placements truly up to chance… Or."
Hinata sighed, "Or we could try to manipulate the exams to ensure the best odds of success."
"Right on the money. So now- who volunteers to be the 'dead-last'?" Sai asked them and Sasuke just turned to her with a shit-eating grin. She frowned and crossed her arms.
"No. You can be last, Uchiha-san."
"It wouldn't be believable Hinata-chan. I've already scored top marks our entire time in the academy. Sai-senpai has consistently hit the exact median score of our entire class."
Hinata paled and whipped her head to Sai- who was grimacing for the first time she'd known him, "He is… correct, Hinata-san. For our plan to work… You will need to fail utterly. For the mission, of course."
"Nooooooooooo…." She moaned and fell onto her back as Sasuke laughed. Her father was going to be soooooooo upset!
"It will be worth it to all be on the same team, Hinata-san. We won't forget your sacrifice."
"Oh, I'll definitely never forget it." She hated how smug the Uchiha sounded.
Fine. To be on a team with Sai she'd do anything. It's not like failing would be hard anyways.
For the mission. For their team.
"Agent Konoha, reporting for duty, Hokage-sama."
"At ease, son." Hiruzen dismissed the rest of his Anbu guard with a quick burst of chakra and Naruto smiled as he took of his mask.
'He seems… older.' Indeed, Hiruzen's wrinkles had only deepend and the rest of his hair had gone completely gray. Naruto sensed his chakra was still formidable- yet, he sensed exhaustion and fear. His teacher knew it himself- he grew weaker with every day.
"Don't look so sad, my boy." The Sandaime walked around the desk and rested a hand on his shoulder. Naruto sensed the void of his pride grow as the old man looked him over, "Oda-dono passed on nothing but high praise and adulation of your service these five years. You bring your village, your comrades, and myself much pride, Naruto. A true Shinobi of the Leaf. Thank you for all of your reports over the years. They were instrumental in this unprecedented time of progress and fortune."
"Thanks… I've missed you." The old man's eyes softened.
"I've missed you too, my son." He knelt down and hugged him and Naruto held him tightly. This was the longest he'd been apart from his family his whole life. He was just happy to be home. He could tell that Hiruzen felt the exact same- the Sandaime's sadness a small drop compared to those other emotions that registered as gaps or holes in Naruto's senses.
"We'll have much to talk about in the coming weeks, but beside taking the time to welcome you back home, I also wanted to remind you of what was promised. Your latest responsibility."
"About that- I don't think that I'm ready. And, Root needs my attention-"
"Unfortunately, Naruto-kun, you've proved quite adept at running Root while occupied with other responsibilities these past five years. You can spare some clones to handle the day to day missions while you take on a genin team…And in emergencies where you are directly needed we can find someone to sub in for you in the interim."
"Y-yes, Hokage-sama."
"Are you scared?"
"Yes." He would admit it. He was scared- and nervous. Anxious. Worried, "They are children. I will be responsible for their well being and even I can't protect everyone all the time."
"True. You will most likely make mistakes. You may not be able to be there to save them when they need it. It will be up to you to make sure they have all the tools necessary to ensure they are competent on their own. I believe in you, Naruto."
"As you command… I just request I have some say as to who is on my team."
Hiruzen laughed and nodded along, "Very well- but, we'll have to wait to see who graduates this year before we can discuss team placements. Their final exam is in two days. Take them off- ask around for advice training genin. Do some light reading." Hiruzen's eyes sparkled with the light teasing- calling out Naruto already planned to read every book on teaching and education in the library in the next two days.
"Thank you, jiji."
"Welcome home. Get some rest- I'm sure the next few years are going to be something special for you, hahaha!"
Naruto laughed along. But, that fear still sat at the bottom of his stomach…
'This is reaaaaaally gonna be a pain-in-the-ass for my plans Kurama.'
'Bwuahaha! I can't wait to watch!'
Roshi grunted as the bandit's screams were cut off as they slipped under the surface of his magma. As he clenched his fist the molten rock solidified and crusted over with a hiss. He sighed and cracked his neck as he looked at the rest of the bandit's camp behind him.
Or what was left of it. Jagged shards of coral had torn the shoddy fortifications asunder and even as he watched they slowly shrunk as Yagura deemed the camp eradicated. He strolled across the bodies on the ground and found Yagura cursing under his breath as he tried to use some small water jutsu to wash the gore off of his silken robe.
"I keep telling you not to wear that fancy shit when we go on mission."
"It wouldn't be a problem if you'd stop throwing our opponents into the air when they are already in pieces!" Yagura brandished a half-melted arm at him and Roshi pinched his nostrils shut.
"Ew. Will you put that down?"
"It's your own fault! You are so fucking messy!"
Roshi rolled his eyes and cracked his neck, "Whatever. Look, if we didn't just waste our time with these small fries then-"
"-You are the one who said we needed to keep a low profile! YOU pick the jobs! Pick a job a little more demanding then if you're just gonna use it as an excuse to be sloppy!"
"My, my! We shouldn't be fighting so pettily, my friends!" Roshi groaned as Menma- the deranged Uchiha himself- appeared between them out of nowhere.
"I told you not to pull that shunshin shit with us, Menma." Roshi grunted, "I've nearly killed you too many times because of it."
"Well, it's good to keep you on your toes!"
"How soon until they're here?" Yagura asked waspishly. Menma and Roshi froze and looked at the short, ex-kage at the same time. He huffed, "Everytime you show up like this when we've finished a mission, it's because someone," He pointedly looked at Roshi which was somewhat rude, "-got a little too loud or flashy and a nearby patrol is heading our way!"
Menma nodded along, "But, what if this time it was just because I was so proud at how my two favorite subordinates expediently finished their mission!"
"They're bandits. There were two genin among them." Roshi tersely said, "It'd be embarrassing if we couldn't handle this in a single day."
"True! Very true! Perhaps Yagura is right and we should start offering our services to more higher paying clientele? We've got a good nest egg now! You've both been busy the last few years."
Yagura growled and walked up to the masked 'leader' of theirs and poked his chest abruptly, "Firstly, you are our 'leader' only as cover and to be our face with clients as you very well know. Secondly, don't agree with me as if you weren't also fully on Roshi's side about the level of mission we took as of yesterday. Thirdly, you could help out on these missions you know!"
"But then, who would let you know when stray patrols were coming?" Roshi sighed at the question and took out a kunai. Before Yagura could yell any more obscenities or demands a cry from the road interrupted them.
"Halt! By order of the Raikage, come out and surrender yourselves for questioning!"
Menma giggled, "Oh good, they're here. I guess we'll have to stop working in Kumo for the foreseeable future!"
Roshi didn't reply as the enemy encircled them.
"Remember boys- we have a low profile." Menma said before he vanished. The fucker was too damn fast with that jutsu.
"Don't be so messy, Roshi."
"Fine- let's just wrap this up quick."
"Yeah yeah. No witnesses." Their chakra flared and that was the only warning the kumo-nin received that their end was nigh.
Anko laughed as Kurenai attempted the genjutsu again with poor results, "C'mon 'Nai-chan! You're a jonin of the Leaf! You can do it!"
Kurenai snarled and once more attempted the genjutsu that would supposedly invert her opponent's vision but Anko's sight didn't change. No, her view of her friend was normal as can be.
Eyes narrowed in concentration. Biting her bottom lip in frustration. Muscles tense with anxiety. Her chakra flared and Anko's vision wobbled but quickly returned to normal.
"I think you're trying to hard!"
"Shut up, Anko!"
"Maybe you should just take a break before-" A kunai came whizzing from the treeline aimed straight for her cheek and she flipped backwards avoiding it immediately. Dozens more flew from all around them but they were intercepted by three snakes with armored scales circling the two jonin. Anko found Kurenai immediately at her back and Anko grinned, "Ask Asuma to give us some ambush training?"
"No."
"Really?" Anko frowned and scanned the tree line which had gone suspiciously quiet, "Then what asshole is bothering us while we're trying to train-" Two hands speared up from the ground beneath her feet and she was able to leap up just escaping their hold. Two more had sprung up beneath Kurenai and managed to grab hold but Anko quickly pulled Kurenai up against them as one of the snakes lashed out and bit into the arm-
Causing it to disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Oh.
Oh shit.
OH SHIT!
Anko grinned widely, "You fucking asshole! I'm gonna gut you, shrimp!" She heard Kurenai laugh beside her as dozens of clones dispersed in the treeline and a short, blonde kid walked up to them waving.
"Hey, Kurenai-chan! Anko-chan! Long time no see!"
"Naruto!" Kurenai shouted and ran to give him a hug. Anko was there in a moment giving him a noogie while within Kurenai's grasp.
"Trying to get one in on your two unsuspecting kohai's, eh? Didn't you hear though? We're jonin now! You're gonna have to deal with it kiddo!"
"Haha, congratulations you two! Kakashi told me! He said you gave a great showing at the exams!" A smug smirk that nearly made her blood boil spread across his face, "He said it was almost as impressive as mine!"
"You brat!" She grinned and put him in a chokehold, tearing him from Kurenai's hold, "Think that's anyway to talk to your best friends?"
"Haha, I missed you too Anko-chan!"
"Welcome home, Naruto-kun." Kurenai smiled softly and ruffled his hair. He smiled up at them and Anko saw a weight fall from his shoulders. A light started shining in his eyes.
"Thanks, Kurenai-chan. I'm so glad to be home!"
"You know what this means, kid! Dango and story time! You gotta tell us everything!"
"Fine, fine! Last one there pays!" He shouted before darting off- and Kurenai's form faded from view as the genjutsu she placed ran out of chakra- leaving her the last one in the training field.
"Oh hell no! Get back here squirt!"
Kabuto was finishing off some final reports in his office in the hospital when he heard a knock at his door. Turning he saw a young woman delivering an order of miso ramen. He smiled and seamlessly hid his excitement behind his mask. Paid for the meal and ate it. Savored the flavor. Grinned at the message.
Finally. No more waiting. Naruto was home and wanted to hit the ground running. Kabuto had been summoned and he'd answer the call. He quickly filed his reports and locked up his small office and left.
The people of Konoha milled about the walkways of the village completely oblivious to who walked amongst them. Agent Snake, interim leader of Root. Whilst in Agent Konoha's absence. Spy. Traitor. Defector. Defender.
He adjusted his glasses and muted his presence as best he could while entering the secret entrance he'd had constructed near the hospital that lead to Root's latest HQ. Isolated from the main complex, it offered just another layer of privacy and protection for the leadership of Root. Extra defense for Naruto's sake.
He silently walked down the halls and donned the snake mask as he approached the doors to Naruto's office. Torune and Fu stood at attention on either side of the doorway. Jagged scars shining on their necks. They both gave a nod as the door opened to admit him. He stepped inside.
Before he could react Naruto darted forward and hugged him tightly. He laughed as he patted the boy's back, "Welcome home, Naruto-sama."
"C'mon, Kabuto! It's just Naruto."
"As you command. Naruto-kun." He smirked as the boy laughed and sat ontop of the desk.
"Like the new office? I had your personal effects taken here."
"It looks exactly like the old one."
"I figured you could choose to change it how you'd like yourself." The boy grinned at him and Kabuto smiled back. He then stepped forward with green-glowing hands and the boy groaned as he began to administer a check-up right then and there.
"Really? You couldn't wait until we'd even finish saying hi first?"
"We said hi. I haven't been able to give you your physical in five years. It's long overdue."
"I'm fine, Kabuto. Kurama kept his eye on things, everything's normal."
"You've grown a mere three and a half inches in that time. You're short for your age did he say that was expected."
Naruto frowned, pouted, and crossed his arms. Ah- seems the teenager was indeed insecure about his height. Kabuto filed that away with a smirk. It was always good to know how to tease the boy to lighten the mood at times.
"Yeah. The furball said that my life-expectancy as an Uzumaki mixed with his genetic tampering made my 'transitional phases' take longer then traditionally shorter lived humans."
Kabuto paused and looked the boy in the eye, "Does he know how long your lifespan is?"
"He has… a guess."
"How long?"
The boy seemed to shrink in on himself. Kabuto waited with bated breath. It was entirely possible that the genetic tampering of the Kyubi could have dramatically shortened the boy's life if he hadn't been careful. Some accident, something overlooked, shortening his Uzumaki average, perhaps it could be mitigated, perhaps if he started now then he'd be able to fix whatever-
"Two hundred fifty. Give or take fifty years."
Kabuto froze for perhaps the fifth time in his life. He could tell the boy needed some validation of some sort. Some form of comfort.
"Amazing."
"What?" The boy seemed shocked and upset at his response, and Kabuto understood that excitement wasn't the reaction he'd been looking for, but this…
"Naruto-kun, even if you lost fifty years from that timeframe, you'd have plenty of time to realize every single one of our plans! Even after I'm gone! That's marvelous."
"Not just you, Kabuto. After everyone is gone. Everyone I've ever known."
Kabuto paused and blinked at the response. Ah. Yes, he'd forgotten to view it through the child's perspective. An orphan would see nothing but loneliness on the horizon. As he once had.
"Well, that's a long-time off, Naruto. No sense on missing out on the here and now." He smiled softly and held the boy's shoulder, "Especially when the odds of either of us making through the next two decades alone is miserably small. Promise to try to make it out the other side together?"
His words seemed to move something in the boy as he just smiled sadly back up at him and nodded, "Yeah. I promise."
"Very good. Now, did the Hokage insinuate that you'd still be expected to teach a genin team or was that just a bluff to mitigate your tenure in the Twelve Guardians?"
The boy groaned and flopped onto his back across the desk, "No! He told me that I'll have a team within the week!"
"Hm. Then we'll have to adjust our plans. Very well- have any questions?"
"Yeah- how am I supposed to teach a genin team? I've read all the guides and teaching self-help books… but…. Agh! I'm not teaching how to write an essay!"
"Push them."
The boy stilled and looked at him in confusion, "What?"
"Push them. Harder then others may think is wise."
"Why though? We're in peace?"
"Our plans have a high likelihood of changing that, Naruto. Your team, whoever they may be, your students… Will be your students. You have the opportunity to mold three shinobi to the highest echelons of caliber. You've been taught by the best our village has to offer. Push them hard. And treat them well."
Kabuto sighed and took a breath before continuing, "You know the worst this world has to offer those of us in this profession. Prepare them for it. Train them like how you were trained."
"...Okay. Okay, yeah. You might be right."
"Heh. I'm always right. Now, time to take some blood samples-"
"Kabuto-"
"Oh, sit still. Now, I'll probably be fine with just taking a liter- ah here we are. Now, you may feel a slight itching sensation."
"Ow!"
He smirked. And he was glad his…friend, was finally home.
Sai watched with bated breath as Sasuke was called up to the private room where the examinations were being held. They had just finished the final written exam and all that was left was the jutsu practical. The 'Academy Three' as it were. The Bunshin, Henge, and Kawarimi.
In less then a minute Sasuke walked back out with a smirk and Sai knew his plans would work out. The three of them could have set a record for highest scores- that was how much faith Sai had in his students. With Sasuke easily placing highest in the class, Sai knowing he'd perfectly hit that fifty percent mark, the only worry left was Hinata not committing to failing miserably. A point over flunking out.
He glanced over to where she sat. Her head was down and Sai could see a tear or two tearing up her eyes. He felt a pang of some foreign emotion at the sight. Her father would not be happy. Not at all. Failing would be much worse for her than embarrassing.
Yet, Sai found no hesitation in her. She planned to make a spectacle of herself and was prepared to do so solely on his request. She glanced over and locked eyes with him. He stoically nodded to her. She nodded back and wiped her eyes.
Shinobi made sacrifices. Hinata was about to make the first of her career.
Sai felt proud…and he also felt what Shin had told him was most likely 'guilt'.
It was his least favorite emotion so far.
Naruto took a sip of water and looked through the dossiers arranged on the Hokage's desk. The files showed the faces of every newly graduated genin. It was quite a crop this year.
Unsurprisingly, every clan heir graduated. Surprisingly, one of them was the lowest score in the class. One which, Naruto knew, was anything but the dead-last.
'What is Sai playing at?' He thought as he looked at Hinata Hyuga's form.
"Something interesting you, Naruto-kun?"
"No, jiji. Nothing." He set it down and looked up at his mentor, "What are your thoughts?"
"Haha… I'm more interested in what you're thinking right now, Naruto-kun."
"I'd like to train the Uchiha." He felt the turmoil rise in his teacher before the shadow of doubt flew across his face.
"As you no doubt feel, Naruto-kun, that does not fill me with confidence. I think you would do your best as his sensei, but I fear there is too much history there to be helpful to either of you."
"I- I made a promise to Itachi. To look out for him." Naruto grimaced as another storm in the Hokage's mood manifested.
"There is little we can do for Itachi anymore, Naruto."
"A promise is a promise. At least to me it is."
"Indeed. Yet another reason I have to veto the possibility. It is not your burden to train and protect young Sasuke at the expense and detriment of his potential teammates. A good sensei doesn't pick favorites, Naruto."
"...Very well." Naruto frowned and threw the papers in his hands down onto the desk. There went all of his quickly made plans, "Then unfortunately, I am at a loss. It seems that if I'm unable to teach Sasuke then I'll be spearheading a recon team? An extraction team? Asuma would be better suited to teaching the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation and my skills in recon come from innate experience and ability not through any particular study of my own."
The Hokage paused and gave him a peculiar look, "What makes you think I intend to uphold the Ino-Shika-Cho formation?"
Naruto blinked, "Well- the village always does." Naruto narrowed his eyes and began to better sense the plans swimming in the Hokage's mind, "But… you don't intend to this time? One of the clan heads… requested an alternative."
The Hokage gave him a deadpan stare and Naruto blinked in shock, "The Yamanaka. Inoichi. He wants me to train his daughter?"
"Quite fervently. I also concur with your self assessment. You've clearly thought about a desired team underneath you. Which is why I intend to make team assignments more… unorthodox this year."
"You're picking against conventions?" Naruto bit his lip and leaned back, "Some teams could fail if there's not enough cohesion."
"They're young Shinobi of the Leaf. Our village is known for teamwork and loyalty. If they're serious about their service they should be able to work in tandem with any of their fellow classmates."
"So- what? You're picking unbalanced squads?"
The Hokage grinned and Naruto got the sense that he was rather enjoying this, "I'm presenting challenges to my newest jonin instructors. Here's who I'm thinking for your subordinates."
The Sandaime highlighted three names on the roster and Naruto blinked in complete surprise, "Oh. Well- I see. Yes, I definitely wouldn't have anticipated this set-up."
"Good. I can't wait to see what you make of them… Make me proud, my boy."
"I'll certainly…try." The old man laughed at his apprehension.
"Do your best. That's all a sensei can do."
Ino woke up with a start as her morning alarm went off. She slapped it off and leapt out of her bed!
'Today's the day! Genin team assignments! Score!' She pumped a fist as she ran into the bathroom and started brushing her teeth and hopping side to side. No more lessons! No more homework! They are shinobi now!
Her mind went to thoughts of being on a team with Sasuke and she let out a dreamy sigh. That would just be perfect! A total victory over Sakura! She sighed as she spat out her toothpaste. She knew what was more likely to happen.
Shikamaru and Choji.
Though in honesty, they were at least better then being stuck with Sai and Hinata. She growled as she thought of the stuck-up Hyuga. She hadn't forgotten that sparring-match they had those years back. She never trusted the 'quiet' girl again.
She threw her clothes on- picked out her favorite outfit- loaded up her shinobi supplies- and lastly double-checked her makeup. Flawless. She'd easily be the prettiest kunoichi on her team. For sure.
She ran out her room and down the stairs to the kitchen where she smelled breakfast cooking!
"Dad! Today's the day!"
"Team placements? Exciting kiddo! Why, I remember when I got my team-"
"And 'surprisngly' wound up with your two best friends? I know how it goes dad." She sighed and slumped in her seat a bit, "Now that's most likely what's gonna happen for me! But Shikamaru is so lazy and Choji doesn't have an ounce of ambition in his work ethic!"
"Worried that they won't take things seriously, Ino?"
"Duh!" She grumbled and ate a mouthful of food, "And I won't have my team being the weakest of our class! So they'd better wise up to that quick!"
"What if you're not on a team with them? Would that be okay with you?" She was so anxious that she missed the unusual curiosity in her dad's tone.
"Daaaaaaaaaad, as if I'm not gonna be stuck with those two jerks." She dramatically rolled her head back and groaned, "But yeah, I'd be so happy if I wasn't with them!"
She rolled back up right and finished off her breakfast quicker than she'd let anybody but her parents see her eat, "But, I gotta go! It's the first thing this morning! Love you dad!"
"Love you! Have fun and good luck!"
She waved behind her as she hurried out the door and down the path to the road. She grinned and adjusted her hitaite and took to the rooftops- she was a genin now! She could avoid the roads the civillians and students were held to!
It rocked! It was sooooo much faster than walking! She laughed as she got closer and finally landed at the academy!
There were notably more of her classmates on time this morning- and early. It seemed she wasn't the only one nearly vibrating with excitement at today's event! She quickly made her way over to her friends and was surprised (pleasantly) to see Shikamaru and Choji had at least gotten early today for once.
"Hey guys! You all excited!?" Shikamaru groaned and Choji just grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Kiba howled alongside Akamaru and Shino shoved him as his hive hummed in agitation.
Sakura smirked at her holding Sasuke's arm and the boy just winced and pinched the bridge of his nose. Sai just looked at her blankly and Hinata ignored her as she read whatever book she was reading.
"Hey! Sakura, get off him!" She immediately shoved Kiba out of her way and latched onto Sasuke's other arm.
"You get off him!"
"Would you…both, get off me?" Sasuke asked them quietly, "It's a bit much and I'm getting uncomfortable."
She chuckled sheepishly and took a step back, "Sorry, Sasuke-kun! Just excited! I hope we're on the same team!"
"Me too, Sasuke-kun!"
"...hopefully, you're all three on a team together. Then none of us would have to get headaches while the two of you bicker anymore."
Ino jerked her head back and gaped at Hinata who just kept reading her book while Kiba howled with laughter at Hinata's comment.
Even Choji was chuckling and Shikamaru smirked at her, "Yeah, Hinata, maybe you're on to something there."
"Hmph! Well, at least I wouldn't have to be on a team with you." She snarled back at the girl. Hinata just glanced up from her book and then looked back down calmly. Ino felt her temper spike and her blood-pressure rise.
Before she could think of something else to say she noticed that Iruka had walked out and opened the door, "C'mon in, graduates! It's time for team-placements!"
"C'mon guys! Let's gooo!" She shouted as she ran off to the door!
Everyone filed in quickly and took the seats they were used to sitting in. The air was abuzz with nervous energy. This is what their entire time in the academy had been leading up to!
Their genin teams! Their sensei and teammates that would be alongside them on their shinobi careers! Bonds that could last and thrive well into jonin promotions!
The Legendary Sannin had started off as a rookie genin team once! Anything was possible for them!
Well- except, if tradition had held. But, maybe! Maybe this year would be different! And she wouldn't be with Shikamaru or Choji! Or- even if she was with one of them and Sasuke as the third, that'd be pretty nice too! That'd be okay!
She grinned as Iruka walked to the podium with a list and a smile.
"Everyone! Listen up! Before I get started- I just wanted to let you know, I'm proud of you. And you all should be proud of yourselves. It's an impressive achievement. Enjoy the labors of your hard work! That being said- this is only the beginning of your shinobi careers. The learning doesn't stop- the elite claim it never fully does. Never be afraid to try something new- and if you ever need to, I'm always here to talk. Even when you're chunin." He smiled and the class laughed. Iruka was known for being sentimental- and funnily enough was also the most popular academy instructor.
"Now… I'm going to announce the teams. Your sensei's will then come and pick you all up for an introduction. Once you leave, you are under their care and guidance. Don't disappoint them. Alright- I'll get on with it! Team 1 is…"
Ino sat through as patient as she could be as team after team was announced. Her name hadn't been called- but neither had Sasuke's or any of her friend's…Until…
"Next- Team 10! We have… Kiba Inuzuka, Choji Akimichi, and Shino Aburame!"
Ino's heart stopped. Choji's name had been called- and she wasn't on the same team. Next to her Shikamaru stilled and looked up. She glanced over at Choji who had frozen midbite of a snack. He glanced at them- and fear shone in his eyes.
'WHAT!?' She couldn't believe it- they weren't being placed in their clans' formation? She had the wherewithal to give Choji a warm smile and a thumbs up and Shikamaru gave him one to. He smiled at them and finished his bite. Some part of her, the part that had hung out with the two boys nearly her whole life was- saddened…
But. Her eyes widened. Could it mean? A slow grin came across her face and she glanced at the brooding Uchiha.
'...Oh my god.' She might be on a team with Sasuke! With Sasuke! For years! This could be the start of their love story! It'd be so romantic!
'Ahahahaha! C'mon! Put me with him!' She pumped a fist and held her breath as Iruka continued.
"The next team up- Team 8! Will have; Shikamaru Nara, Sasuke Uchiha, and-"
'INO YAMANAK! INO YAMANAKA! INO YAMANAKA! C'MON!'
"-Sai!"
"WHAT!?" She and Sakura yelled at the same time. Iruka blinked up at them as did everyone else in the classroom and they both immediately sank into their seats with their faces burning red.
But- then that meant that- no way-
"Team 7 will be; Hinata Hyuga-"
No. No, no, no! C'mon! This wasn't right!
"-Sakura Haruno, and-"
No! NO! When she said she didn't want to be with Shikamaru and Choji- she didn't- It wasn't supposed to be WITH-
"Ino Yamanaka!"
Her face slammed onto the desk in front of her and she swore she'd make Shikamaru pay for snickering at her fate.
"Congratulations again! Just hang out in here until your sensei's come and get you!" Ino didn't move at all. Not as Team 10's sensei came and got them- or even not as Team 8's sensei collected them and Shikamaru quietly wished her luck. No, she didn't move until all the other teams had been called…
And it was just her, Sakura, and Hinata waiting alone together in the empty classroom… Fuck.
Sai froze as soon as the teams had been announced. Things had definitely not gone according to plan. What had he not accounted for? What was different this year that the Hokage had swayed so far from the norms?
Was it merely that Agent Konoha was to be a jonin sensei? He had clearly vastly miscalculated. By aiming for the prodigy-deadlast team placement he had inadvertently caused the three of them to be separated.
He glanced over at Sasuke who was smirking. Yes, his mission to look out for the boy would be easier than ever. But, this was complicated. He'd have to be careful- much, much more careful- maneuvering in front of a jonin… Unless, there was still a chance that Konoha-sama would be their leader. Yes, he would hope…
And Hinata. He glanced over at her and saw that her head was bowed. Her shoulders slightly shaking. The poor girl's anxiety would be skyrocketing right now. Their goal that they had worked for these past five years had been to be on the same team. To train together.
"Team 8." A voice called- a woman's voice. He turned and saw his sensei waiting for them, "Follow me."
She had long, wavy, black hair and piercing red eyes. Sai identified her immediately. Kurenai Yuhi. Genjutsu Mistress. Damn.
He paused as he stood up. Asuma Sarutobi was leading Team 10 out the door ahead of them. Perhaps… Perhaps one of the three of them would be taught by Agent Konoha. He smiled softly.
As he passed Hinata he paused for a moment, "Remember. We still have training on off-days, Hinata-san. I hope to see you there."
He felt pride surge as the girl took a breath, met his eyes, and nodded with determination steeling her features, "Right. I'll be there."
"Good-luck, Hinata-san."
"You too, S-Sai-kun."
She'd be okay- he may be worse off than her. Now he'd be stuck dealing with the Uchiha every day. For years.
"Hurry up, genin. Let's go." Their new sensei called and walked out the door and Sai rolled his eyes at the palpable annoyance on the Uchiha's face.
Hinata was calming down from the initial panic at her team-placement. It couldn't be any worse. Ino. And Sakura. Ino and Sakura. There went any hope of keeping pace with Sasuke and Sai. The girls were just gossips. Just mean.
Already after nearly an hour of waiting on their sensei (and really, what respectable jonin would make their new students wait an hour as a first impression) the two of them had finally scooted together and were whispering. As if they thought she couldn't pick up their comments!
Bemoaning that neither of them were with Sasuke. Ino complaining she hadn't even been with Shikamaru and Choji- as if everybody hadn't known she'd been dreading that placement for months leading up to placements- and then Sakura complaining about her and Ino joining in!
They were weak. Weak and mean. And they were her teammates. They were who she was supposed to trust implicitly and sacrifice everything for.
As if they'd do the same for her. As the second hand ticked down to the last second of the hour, the door slowly opened and a kid walked in.
A kid seemingly as old as them- if not shorter then them all. Blond, spiky hair. A wide grin. Whisker marks on each cheek. A jonin vest over an orange jumpsuit.
"YOU'RE LATE- wait." She heard Ino holler from her seat, "What're you doing here?! We're waiting for our sensei, you're in the wrong room, shrimp!"
Hinata's face paled as she realized who was standing before them. The Sarutobi Ward. Her hero. Naruto Uzumaki. Jonin Uzumaki. Their new….sensei…
"My first impression of you all is…" Her vision grew faint and as hard as she fought- she fainted.
She missed the boy blinking in shock as her head hit the table, "...I honestly don't even know what to say. Wake her up and then meet me on the roof."
Naruto groaned the entire way up to the roof from the room as Kurama just howled in laughter. He had his work cut out for him. They were…
They were awful! Augh! The moment he walked in he sensed their emotions hesitantly and was not impressed with what he felt. Pride, arrogance, distaste for each other, regret, disbelief at the sight of him. Unprofessional, unserious, and undisciplined children.
Then again- that's what they were. Children. Genin. Naruto took a deep breath (a very deep breath) and tried to relax. Had he really been so different once?
…Okay, he'd been vastly different, but that spoke more to him as an outlier then the three girls. They had a normal upbringing. Normal dreams. Normal fears. Normal socialization.
Shrimp. Ohohohoho, he'd get the Yamanaka back for underestimating him. No- no. He wouldn't start off being petty. That was no way for a sensei to behave.
The door opened and he blinked as the three of them sullenly walked forward and took a seat far from each other. The pink-haired girl, Sakura, was moping and bored. The Yamanaka, Ino, was annoyed and agitated at being stuck with the two girls- and his eye twitched at her burning disapproval of him as sensei- and the Hyuga heiress, Hinata, was awash with embarrassment at fainting in front of him.
"Alright, now that we're all here. Time for introductions. Let's hear your name… what you excel in, what you struggle with, and what your dream is. Any volunteers?"
Nobody raised a hand or took the initiative and Kurama started laughing again. Great. Like pulling teeth it seemed.
"Okay. Great. I'll just pick. Blondie, go ahead." She glared at him and he just crossed his arms behind his head with a yawn.
"My name is Ino Yamanaka. I'm good with taijutsu and ninjutsu. I struggle with dealing with big-babies." A pointed glance at Hinata who bristled in turn. Excellent. Great, "My dream is to be married to a strong shinobi- like, say, Sasuke Uchiha!"
Oh dear. Well, surely it couldn't get any worse from-
"My name is Sakura Haruno! I excel in all aspects of our academy training- I have some of the highest marks in class! I am weak in terms of experience- but, I'm sure with you as our sensei, you'll understand that! And my dream-" She giggled and blushed and went no further in explaining herself.
His eye-twitched, "Why would I understand having no experience, genin Haruno?"
She paused and the other two girls glanced at him warily, "Ah-uhm- that is sensei that- you're our age, so you're probably…a new, jonin? Right? And- we're your first assignment?"
"Interesting. Your turn." He said glancing at Hinata. The girl took a steadying breath and straightened her back.
'C'mon, Sai. Give me at least someone I can work with on this team.'
"Genin Hinata Hyuga. I excel in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and precise chakra control. I struggle in prolonged engagements and emotional repression. My dream is to be the strongest kunoichi I can be."
The other two girls gaped at their third teammate and Naruto couldn't help a small smirk. Interesting. Very interesting.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, jonin of six years. I excel in nearly all aspects of being a shinobi. I struggle dealing with those that don't take their training or their allies seriously. I dream of being Hokage and protecting every single person that calls this village their home. So far, I find you three…. Disappointing."
He cut them off before they could snap anything at him, "We'll have our first survival training tomorrow morning. Meet at Training Grounds 7. Don't be late or eat breakfast, or you might puke. Sounds good?"
"Training? But, we've already had survival training multiple times in the academy!" Sakura cried out. Ino nodded along beside her while Hinata just sat quietly and listened.
"This is to see if you can survive being genin. It may shock you to hear- but out of the twenty-seven genin that graduated, only nine will continue forward to be shinobi of the leaf."
He smiled at the blatant panic on all three of their faces. Oh man, Kakashi was right- it was enjoyable to grill them while he could. He'd remember their faces just now for years to come!
"Get some sleep and gather your supplies. Tomorrow- we'll see if you have what it takes to be a genin on my team. Good luck!"
He leapt off the roof faster then any of the girls could follow and headed off to his apartment. Kabuto had told him he'd leave all the pertinent reports on his desk now that he was officially off-duty as Agent Konoha.
It'd take him all night to get through those reports. Probably leave him barely enough time to shower and eat before his new…. team's training began.
"Well… Let's just hope it goes well!"
