It had been close to three years since the game started. The annual graduation exam for the Ninja Academy was starting today, and only a few people could actually pass it. Bethany Middleton walked down the Academy hallways that she had become so familiar with. Her long red hair falling down her back, and moving gently as she walked. 'I have to do this,' she thought, clenching her left fist tightly at her side, 'I have to become a Shinobi, It's the only real way I'm going to beat this game!' despite only being Nine years old in the game, Bethany was determined to graduate today. She wanted to get back to the real world as soon as possible.
She knew that it would probably take longer than three years for some of the 26 to even graduate the Academy, let alone become strong enough to reach level 1000. Bethany stopped at the door to her classroom. Before she entered, the girl glanced over at her skill level. It read 505. She'd defiantly been busy these past few years. And that wasn't even counting her skills in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu and Taijutsu. The young girl took a deep breath, 'I will graduate, no matter what!' she though fiercely, as she pushed the door open. Everyone was already there. Bethany wondered if any of the other 26 would be able to graduate today. She walked over and took her seat, waiting for the teacher to get there.
Thankfully, it only took about five minutes after she had gotten to the classroom for the teacher to get there as well. The Chunin stood at the front of the class and cleared his throat, "alright everyone, quiet down" he called over the chatter of the other students. The effect was instantaneous. The room hushed as everyone's attention was now fully on the Chunin in front of them. Bethany sat waiting for the man to speak, "alright now, as you know, today is the graduation exam, and those of you who pass today will become Shinobi and Kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf Village, and fight alongside everyone to protect it," some people grinned in anticipation, "but, unfortunately, there are only a certain number of Jonin who can train you, so their will only be about three teams actually formed," cries of outrage began to fly around the room, causing the teacher to gain a tick mark on the side of his head.
"Everyone shut up!" he shouted. Once again everyone quieted instantly. Bethany snickered, how many times would it take for them to learn their lesson? The teacher took a breath and released it in a sigh, "now, when I call your name, come into the next room, and I'll administer your exam, Aiko Kuramatsu" One by one the other students left the room, and either came back in with a headband or a depressed look on their face. Bethany tuned out most of the other students. It wasn't that she didn't care, but she didn't. Most of them were NPC's, or Non-Player Characters, they couldn't die, even if they wanted too. But the 26 of them could, and there were only two of them in the whole class, her, and Minato. "Kushina Uzumaki" Bethany's head perked up upon hearing her character's name being called. The young red-head took a deep breath and rose from her seat.
She both hoped she would pass and prayed that she wouldn't. It's true that graduation meant getting stronger faster, but graduation also meant more danger, and the possibility of actually dying. She hadn't admitted this to anyone, not even her father, but she was terrified of dying in this game. She didn't want to die, not like that at least. Bethany shook her head as she approached the door to the room where the test would be administered. 'Well' she thought, 'here goes everything' and entered through the door.
ŅŴŔ
The young red-haired girl walked out of the testing room with a grin of triumph, her new leaf village head-band proudly displayed on her forehead. 'I did it!' she thought, 'I'm a Kunoichi now!' looking around, she saw that the only other graduate in her class that she knew was Minato. The teacher spoke up then, "congratulations to all those who passed, those people will need to come back here tomorrow to get assigned to their team and meet their new squad leader, for those of you who failed, you may try again in next year's class, understood?" he asked looking around at everyone. "Hai, Sensei!" everyone said simultaneously.
ŅŴŔ
The next day Kushina and Minato returned to the Academy. When they got to their classroom, every other student was their waiting in their seats. "I will now announce the teams, team 1-" the red-haired Uzumaki tuned him out until he got to team 6: "team 6, Kushina Uzumaki," Bethany perked up, "Itachi Uchiha," she raised an eyebrow, and looked around. Their he was. A seven year old Itachi sitting in the top row. The boy was every bit as stoic as the normal Itachi. It was no wonder. Bethany remembered that the character competition was specially created to fit the takers with their ideal matches. So the person who was playing as Itachi seemed to be a lot like the man himself.
"And Hashirama Senju, your Sensei is Neji Hyuuga" Kushina's eyes widened, her teammates were the character versions of the First Hokage and the Uchiha Prodigy? While her Sensei was Neji Hyuuga? That was- not what she expected. After the other teams were announced, the Chunin Sensei left the classroom after telling them to wait for their Jonin Sensei's. Kushina was about to stand and go meet Itachi, before a brown blur appeared before her. The Uzumaki jumped before calming down, "hello their Kushina-Chan, so, we're going to be teammates, that was lucky, don't you think so?" Hashirama asked, with a wide grin. Kushina smiled, "yeah, this is going to be fun Dattebene!" she replied, before blushing. It was fine when she was in the real world and saying it for fun, but it was slightly embarrassing in this game, this world.
The brown-haired boy tilted his head to the side, before grinning again, "so, we'll grab Itachi-Kun, then get to know each other a bit more, after all, who knows how long Neji-Sensei will take to get here, and I'm feeling a little hungry" he suggested. Kushina pumped her fist, "let's go to Ichiraku's and get Ramen!" she said. Hashirama nodded, "sounds great" he replied. The two walked up the steps to where Itachi was sitting. The Uchiha heard them coming and looked up, "yes Senju-San, Uzumaki-San?" he asked. "Wanna go get some Ramen and introduce ourselves while we wait for Sensei?" Kushina asked. Itachi stared at them for a moment, before nodding, "alright" he replied.
ŅŴŔ
(Meanwhile, with 'Jiriya') Paul Middleton, or rather, Jiriya, was sitting in his class, waiting for his Sensei to tell them who their teammates and Sensei was. "Alright, team 7, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha, Team 8-," the white-haired boy tuned him out until he heard his name, "team 9, Jiriya, Orochimaru and Tsunade Senju, your Sensei is Hiruzen Sarutobi". Jiriya's eyes widened. His team was the same as in the anime! And the third Hokage was really his Sensei! That was surprising. He also wondered who Bethany's teammates and Sensei were, but decided that he'd ask her when they met up later today. Just then a man opened the door and walked into the room. Jiriya's eyes widened. It was Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"Team 9, please follow me" he stated, before walking away. The white-haired man looked at his teammates, two of the other competition winners who looked back at him, before they all stood up and followed 'the Professor' out of the classroom. Paul stared at the Third Hokage's back, he hadn't really changed much from three years ago, when he and Bethany had first met the man, though he did look a little older. Once they got to the roof, the group of four sat down, "okay, now, since we are a team now, I want you to tell me your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies and dreams for the future". Paul decided to go first, "well, my name is Jiriya, I like reading, my friends, 'my daughter' training to protect them, I hate anyone who would harm them and my home, my hobbies- reading and spending time with my friends 'and my daughter as well' my dream- 'to go home' to help someone precious to me achieve her dream, no matter what" he stared ahead with determined eyes, 'I will help Bethany achieve her dream of protecting everyone and getting us out of this world safely' he thought to himself.
Hiruzen nodded, "good, next," he turned to Orochimaru. The pale black-haired boy stared at him board, "my name is Orochimaru, I like reading and creating Jutsu, I hate people who torment and hurt others for fun. My hobbies are studying reptiles and reading. I also like spending time with my friends. And my dream- I suppose to explore this world and find out everything there is to know about it and Chakra" Orochimaru finished. "Okay, and last?" the Sarutobi said, turning to Tsunade. "My name is Tsunade Senju. I like learning about Medical Ninjutsu and my hobbies are visiting and sampling different Tea Shops. My dream for the future is to become the best Medical Ninja in the world so that I can keep everyone I care about safe" Tsunade finished. The Third Hokage nodded, "good, now as for me, my name is Hiruzen Sarutobi. I like relaxing and spending time with my son, I hate war and death. My hobbies are studying and learning new Jutsu and my dream is for there to be peace in this world one day" Hiruzen finished.
"Tomorrow we are going to be doing a training exercise, but this one won't be like most other training-". All three of his students tuned him out after that, as they knew that they were taking the bell test tomorrow. Jiriya couldn't help but let his mind wonder over to his daughter. How was Kushina doing?
ŅŴŔ
Kushina, Itachi and Hashirama were just making their way back to the classroom after a short lunch-break. None of them knew how long it would take Neji-Sensei to reach the classroom, so they were hurrying so as not to end up being late. Soon they returned and just in time for the Hyuuga to enter the room, "Team 6?" he called, eyeing the three Genin over. They all seemed to be very young, the Uzumaki girl and Senju were both only nine and the Uchiha was only seven. But to have graduated this early, Neji was sure that all three had to be prodigies. The three addressed Genin stood and went over to the Hyuuga, "hai Neji-Sensei!" they replied in unison. After eyeing the children for a moment, Neji nodded and turned, "follow me" he called over his shoulder.
The Genin followed their new Sensei obediently. The Hyuuga led them to the edge of the forest that bordered the village. Their he sat them down, "alright, what we are going to be doing first is introducing ourselves- I assume you all know how to do that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. They nodded silently. "Alright, you first" the Jounin said, pointing towards Kushina. The Uzumaki nodded and tightened her headband, "right, well, my name is Kushina Uzumaki. I like my friends and Mito-Sama, (and Daddy) along with Ramen. I hate people who would abandon their friends and teammates and anyone who would hurt or threaten my home or those I love. My hobbies are training, spending time with my friends and visiting Mito-Sama. My dream- to become stronger and be able to protect everyone I love (and to beat this game)." The red-haired girl said.
Neji looked interested and nodded. He turned to the brown-haired boy, "My name is Hashirama Senju. I like my friends and especially my best friend Madara. My hobbies are spending time with everyone, stone-skipping with Madara at the river and tending to my bonsai at home. I hate war and the thought of killing children especially sickens me," Hashirama said with a dark look on his face, "and my dream is to become strong enough to protect those I care about and hopefully do something about all the war in this world" he finished. Neji nodded and turned towards the last team member, Itachi. "My name is Itachi Uchiha. I like peace, Dango and my friends. My hobbies are training, reading, eating Dango and spending time with my friends. I also hate war just like Hashirama and wish to be able to do something about it. My dream is to do something about all the war in this world and to help my friends with their dreams (and to get out of this game)" the Uchiha said.
Neji nodded in acceptance. He then went on to explain about the Bell test for the Genin exam. Since Kushina already knew all about it, she tuned the explanation out. 'I wonder how Daddy and Minato are doing?' she thought to herself.
ŅŴŔ
That night everyone was having a graduation party to celebrate becoming Genin. However the Uzumaki didn't feel in the mood for a big party. So instead of going with everyone, she excused herself to go home. Mito-Sama would already be fast asleep by now she knew, so it would be just her at home pretty much. As Kushina entered the Uzumaki Compound she noticed the storm brewing in the sky, "oh great, why did it have to storm tonight?" she mumbled. As she opened the door to her house and entered it she sighed, "oh, I'm so tired, it was defiantly a good idea to leave the party early" the Uzumaki muttered. She walked past the living room but froze suddenly. Something was wrong.
The red-haired Kunoichi turned to her attention towards the room, feeling unease wash over her. As Kushina looked around the darkened sitting space another flash of thunder illuminated the forms of four men just as they moved from the shadows of the furniture. The virtual Uzumaki's eyes widened in terror and she bolted. Kushina ran down the hallway as fast as her legs would carry her, "someone! Someone please help me!" she screamed as the enemy Ninja pursued, "Daddy! Someone! Help!" she screamed just as the Shinobi leapt and tackled her to the floor. The red-haired girl tried to fight back, but she was too exhausted to be of much use and soon the adult Shinobi had the girl tied and captured.
ŅŴŔ
Kushina stared at the ground as three Shinobi walked in single file in front of her and two behind her, the one holding the rope that tied her wrists behind her forcing her to move forwards. The nine year old Kunoichi shivered from the cold night air and her stomach growled with hunger. She'd intended to make herself something for dinner when she'd gotten home, but these Cloud Shinobi had grabbed her before she'd had a chance. The red-haired girl looked across at the status bars that were in the corner of her vision. They zoomed in as soon as she turned her attention to them. The Uzumaki instantly noticed how the bar representing her energy levels was more than halfway empty already. The young girl was scared. She may have been a Ninja now, but it had only been one day.
Kushina was paying so little attention to where she was walked that she tripped on a stone in the dusty pathway. The red-head cried out as she slammed into the ground roughly. She was so tired. Before the enemy Ninja managed to force her back to her feet again, the girl managed to pull out a few strands of her long red hair. Kushina dropped them on the ground before she was dragged into a standing position again. 'Daddy, someone, please- save me!' she begged in her mind.
ŅŴŔ
Hours had passed and Kushina was starving and weak. It was all she could do to place one foot in front of the other as her vision faded in and out. Her energy levels were dangerously low and her stomach ached. They were reaching the border of the Land Of Fire, or at least she thought they were. The Uzumaki's awareness had faded so much that at this point she wouldn't have been able to dodge an attack even if it was right in front of her eyes. Kushina had prayed that someone would notice her absence, and come to her rescue. But no one had come and she was rapidly losing what little hope she had left.
Suddenly a warm and gentle voice that she immediately recognised spoke up from in front of her, "are you alright?" The red-haired girl glanced up as the moon shone down over them and saw Minato standing in front of her. Kushina felt herself go limp with relief. Literally, she almost straight-up collapsed from exhaustion, but the blond boy shot forwards and grabbed her before she could hit the ground. Minato picked her up into his arms after swiftly cutting her ropes and leapt to the trees. When he landed in the top of one, Kushina stared up at him. The blond smiled softly, but with concern in his eyes "are you alright?" he asked again. The Virtual Uzumaki sighed, "if being starving and exhausted to the point of collapse counts as 'alright' then yeah, I'm fine!" she muttered. "Your father and the others were all very worried about you when no one could find you in the compound" Minato said softly. She looked up, "then why aren't they here?" she asked weakly.
"The Hokage wouldn't allow it- he sent out his best ANBU, but it seems like no one was able to track the Iwa Shinobi that kidnapped you" the blond boy explained. Kushina looked away. But suddenly noticed something red in Minato's hand, "that's-" she paused, and looked up at the boy again, "you really noticed all my hairs on the ground?" she asked curiously. "Of course I did, your hair is beautiful Kushina, why wouldn't I notice it?" he replied. The virtual Uzumaki looked away, "you know that's not even my real hair colour- I don't look anything like this" she muttered. "That's fine, because then you'd be completely unique, both in looks and in personality- and I'm sure that whatever you look lie in real life, is just as beautiful as you are now- not to mention you have a lot of inner strength too I'm sure" Minato replied. The Uzumaki blushed. She'd never been called beautiful by anyone other than her family before.
"Now, are you ready to go home Kushina-Chan?" the Namikaze asked gently. Kushina nodded and wrapped her arms around her saviour, "mhm, more than ready" she replied softly. Before the blond had even made five leaps down the tree, Kushina was already sound asleep in his arms.
To Be Continued