Hey everyone. I decided to finish up this chapter a bit faster. So any minor mistakes that I made, just know it's because of that. Anywho, I believe this is the point where things start to get interesting, things are getting put into gear and whatnot. Sooo… on a different topic… still don't own Naruto. AND ON WITH THE SHOW
Chapter 9- The Start of Team 7
Sakura and Ino has continued to walk in a tense silence for the minutes passing Sakura's question, and it wasn't until now that the Sarutobi Complex came into view.
"Hey Sakura, looks like we're almost there," said Ino, while pointing at the compound.
"Wow it's big," said Sakura.
"Yeah, it's the leading clan of the Akimichi, Yamanaka and Nara clans, it has to be big," said Ino.
"You don't say," said Sakura in awe.
A minute or two of walking later, the two were at the entrance of the Sarutobi compound, and they saw a guard at said entrance.
"Hello Ino, is that your guest," said the guard in a protective monotone voice.
"Yeah, her name is Sakura Haruno," said Ino. To which the guard nodded and opened the door, letting them in. What they saw was that the party was still being prepared, fitting considering they got there 20 minutes early.
As they got a look around, an excited Naruto came running to them.
"Hey girls, what's up?" asked Naruto in a very energetic voice.
"Nothing much," said Ino, "Why are you so hyper?"
"I'm trying to get myself hungry for the eat-off between me and Chouji," said Naruto, "I ate a lot for lunch and this is happening in half an hour."
"Huh," said Ino, not really knowing how to respond to that, "Well I brought Sakura, didn't you have something to talk to her about?"
"Yeah," said Naruto while diverting his attention to Sakura, "Can we go for a walk?"
"*Sigh* Fine, I guess," said Sakura as they walked out the door.
"Hope this works out," said Chouji as he walked up behind Ino.
"Yeah," said Ino, "Naruto deserves that much."
They have been walking side-by-side for almost two minutes now, and Sakura decided to break the silence.
"Look Naruto, just clarifying something," said Sakura, "I appreciate the invitation but I don't want this to be considered a date."
"Sakura, my crush on you was fake, I thought Ino would've told you about that," said Naruto.
"She did," said Sakura, "But after four years of you constantly screaming it to the world, it's kind of hard to believe that it was all fake."
"I guess I can understand that," said Naruto. This started a slightly longer period of silence, as she then remembered the question she came to ask.
"But why then?" asked Sakura vaguely, "Why invite me to the party?"
"Well… Look Sakura, I may not love you in that way, but you are still precious to me," said Naruto, "We were such good friends, almost inseparable before the academy, but then… I decided to put my future over our friendship. I acted like an idiot, and you were too embarrassed to be seen with someone like that, so you started repulsing me, acting like everyone else just so you can fit in, and I don't blame you for it. But now… you know I'm not that orange-jumpsuit clad idiot I acted as for four years, I'm the same as I always was, the one you played for hours with, which were some of the happiest days of my life, and since we will be on the same team, it's now more than ever that I don't want to lose that. So, what do you say? Friends again?"
This speech made Sakura look at Naruto's wide-eyed, never in a million years would Sakura think he was capable of such a monologue. But then again, this isn't the same knucklehead of the academy… this is Naruto Uzumaki… the real Naruto Uzumaki. She held back a single tear as a hoard of amazing memories flooded her mind. Almost three years of fun returning to her in her seconds of dumbfoundedness. She didn't even think as she just stepped towards Naruto and gave him a hug, still holding back the tears.
"Yes, I would love to," said Sakura, as she continued hugging him.
Naruto turned sideways within her grip and hugged her back, "I'm glad to hear it."
They held the position for the next few minutes until Sakura realized something.
"Wait, you could've done this any time, that doesn't explain why you invited me to the party," said Sakura.
"Well, our friendship is back, what other reason do we need to celebrate," said Naruto.
-(Ten minutes later)-
Naruto and Sakura just arrived back at the party, seeing that it just begun. Before he even took five steps, and Akimichi spotted him and came at him so fast it could've been a hirashin.
"Naruto, your twentieth eat-off with Choji is beginning in five minutes," said the Akimichi.
"OH GOD I FORGOT, WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?!" screamed Naruto in a "minor" panic.
"Just at the food stand right there," said the Akimichi as he pointed to a stand that Choji was near.
"Thanks," said Naruto right before he dashed off to the bar.
"... I guess he can't be entirely mature…" thought Sakura to herself as she walked over to the stand to watch the impending competition.
She soon ran into Ino on the way and decided to make amends with her.
"Oh Sakura, are you two friends again?" asked Ino.
"More than ever," said Sakura.
"Glad to hear it," said Ino.
"Also… I knew that Sasuke wasn't the only reason we stopped being friends at the academy, it was Naruto too wasn't it?" asked Sakura.
Ino looked down for a bit and then subtly nodded her head, kind of like something Hinata would do, "Yeah."
"Well, we're together again, so what do you say… friends again," asked Sakura.
"Sure, I've wanted that for a while," replied Ino simply as they started walking over to the competition.
Naruto and chouji were doing some workouts, trying to get themselves as hungry as possible before the competition, until they saw Ino and Sakura.
"Hey Sakura, hey Ino," Naruto said as he got up from doing one handed push ups, "What's up?"
"Just here to see the competition," said Sakura.
"And to wish you luck, chouji once finished in two minutes and 34 seconds, that'll be hard to beat," said Ino.
"Nah, my metabolism has built up over time, I'm better than two matches ago," he said with a reassuring grin.
"Only thing that explains how you're not wider than tall," Ino said, "honestly I'm jealous."
"Well we're all born differently," said Naruto.
"Naruto Uzumaki and Choji Akimichi, may you please sit for the match," said an Akimichi, who was supposedly a referee.
"Well, that's my que, see you guys in a bit," said Naruto with a grin as he ran off.
"He's really something this guy," said Sakura while shaking her head.
"Tell me about it," Ino said with a smile.
Naruto and Chouji sat down next to each other in front of the bar, and gave a quick hand shake and wished each other a good game before the ref started talking (They took these games VERY seriously).
"Hello all, the games shall begin in two minutes, but until then, I would like to give some instructions first," said the Akimichi referee to the audience, "As you can see, there are forty bowls of ramen right next to each competitor, the goal is to finish it as quickly as possible, the first to eat it all wins."
The audience was murmuring on the safety of this, but the Akimichi ignored it and went on.
"Now for the restrictions: they are not allowed to interfere with each other, they can't touch, and while they may supply chakra to your arms and stomach, there will be no jutsu," the Akimichi said, "Any questions?"
No response. So the Akimichi turned to the two competitors and said.
"Well I guess that's it, the round begins in forty seconds, the record to beat is Choji's two minutes and thirty four seconds, you may begin when the time reaches zero."
After that, the audience stood in silence, awaiting the competition. The two competitors were looking down at their first bowl in concentration, ready to begin the millisecond it became zero.
3… 2… 1… BEEP
The competition was on.
The two went to work immediately, eating the bowls at a visibly similar pace. But at thirty seconds, the score board showed that Chouji was a solid bowl ahead of Naruto, beating him nine to eight. They still didn't let up yet… didn't slow down. Each quickly eating the ramen, drinking the soup, and then grabbing another bowl every few seconds. But at a minute, when Chouji was beating Naruto eighteen to sixteen, Chouji was starting to let up, to the point that they were tied again at the two minute mark, each having thirty two bowls. The tension was off the charts, each eight, then seven bowls away from the end, but then Chouji started sweating. His arms were weakening, his heart thumping too hard, his stomach not being able to take the quick intake, so he ignored it… for the most part. Chouji was still slowing down, at a significant pace, to the point that at the two minute and fifteen second mark, Naruto was drinking the soup to his thirty seventh one, while he was just now putting his thirty sixth aside.
But then… at two minutes and twenty six seconds left… *BEEP!*
Naruto has won, he was celebrating, and Chouji finished six seconds after Naruto, and instantly collapsed on the floor. Many were dumbfounded that the Akimichi heir was beaten by the Uzumaki… but the rest.
"WOOOHOOO!" a lot of them screamed as they celebrated, the music from the party was only helping matters. A lot of them got together and lifted up Naruto, carrying him like he was floating down a stream… like at rock concerts. A minute or so later when everyone rejoined the real party, Naruto walked up to Ino, Sakura and Chouji.
"That was fun," Naruto said to Chouji as he approached him.
"Yeah," he responded as they went for a high five.
"Sorry to ruin the moment… but how are you alive?" asked Sakura to both of them.
"I still wonder about that," Ino said.
"I don't quite know myself," Naruto responded to both of them.
"With me, it's my Akimichi blood, I can eat almost as much as I want," said Chouji.
"We figured that much," said Sakura.
"This conversation is all well and good, but when are we gonna introduce ourselves onto the dance floor," said Ino, "I mean this is a party commemorating US."
"True, true," said Sakura, nodding her head in acknowledgement, "That is the reason why I came here after all."
"OK then it's settled, we meet on the dance floor," Naruto said before running into the crowd. Everyone else just nodded and followed suit, knowing full well that tonight's gonna be fun.
Ino, Sakura, Chouji and Naruto were dancing on their own, enjoying the party. This applied double to Naruto because he knew full well that if this were any other celebration in the entire hidden leaf… he would get kicked out immediately. So he danced to his fullest extent, letting the rhythm flow through him as he moved however it wished… and was having the time of his life in the process.
Then after an hour or so, a Tango song came on… one of the few that ever goes on. Knowing this full well, Naruto went in search of a partner. After a few seconds of not finding one, he laid his eyes upon someone who he would've believed would be the first for a partner… Ino. He saw her looking for someone, almost in a bit of panic because she loved to dance Tango, but found no one.
Now, Naruto could go look for someone else, but here was his family, one he knew LOVED to dance, in search of a partner that may never come… so he did what Naruto does best… make people happy.
He walked up behind Ino, being sure not to be spotted and grabbed her arm. He then gave her a twirl, much to her surprise, and leaned her back. With Ino in his grasp and their faces not even a foot apart, Naruto said in the most playful voice he could muster, "Hey princess, may I have this dance?"
It took Ino a second to realize it was Naruto, and another to wipe that look of surprise off her face. But in the end she let out a smirk and said, "Yes you may."
They didn't waste any more time as they started dancing immediately.
Naruto and Ino's dancing was flat out amazing if the surrounding party members had anything to say about it. Their movements were quick, flowing and precise, an extent of which could only be accomplished by a shinobi with more than a little experience with dancing, and that is why Ino wanted Naruto as a partner beyond anyone else. They were perfect dance partners for each other, thanks to the dance classes Ino and Naruto went to every Saturday they were together. And because of this, people stopped their dance and looked at the performance.
Even as the crowd watching grew in size they stayed in the moment, they focused on every step, every turn, every reaction. To each other, they knew what the other would do, it is like they both had the sharingan, figuring out what the other would do almost before they did and responding in the best way possible… truly the least violent of shinobi battles. And with their concentration on each other, they didn't notice the crowd grow. Shikamaru, Chouji, Sakura, the Yamanaka Sakura was dancing with and many others were looking in awe, and slight jealousy, at the two preteens. The only ones not surprised were Inoichi and Mina, who were looking proudly at their "son" and daughter.
Then as they knew the song was reaching its end, they sped up. They kept speeding up their dance until at the last few beats Naruto spun Ino away, spun her back in, and as Ino was in his grasp he leaned her back AND the end. There they stood, in the same position as earlier. Naruto holding Ino to stop her from falling as she leaned back. Naruto's head barely half a foot from hers, and both were holding back their panting just a bit longer.
After a second or two of this position, the crowd burst into cheers. Ino and Naruto stopped their position and looked around, unaware of how large the crowd got. Naruto gave a bow while Ino gave a bit of a curtsey before Sakura, Shikamaru and Chouji went over there to tell them how good they were.
"Thank you for the dance Naruto-kun," Ino said with a genuine smile on her face.
"Anything for you Ino-chan," Naruto said right as they got there.
The rest of the party was well spent as well. The five of them talked all through the night, ate snacks, played games, and Ino and Naruto danced again off of a dare, it was a fun night overall.
-(The next morning: at the Academy)-
Today was the day of the team announcements, and class was about to start. Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto, Chouji, Sakura and Hinata were all sitting together, talking about what they did last night.
"Yeah, it was pretty fun," said Sakura with a smile, "we went to the Saru-Ino-Shika-Cho party and had lots of fun."
"Sounds fun," said Hinata, "I had to go to a formal ceremony at the clan complex."
"Oh, well was it fun?" asked Sakura.
"Did you dance with anyone?" asked Ino.
"Yes it was fun I guess, but no, I did not dance with anyone," said Hinata.
"Well we did," said Sakura, referencing to Ino and herself, "I danced with a Yamanaka boy who asked me, and Ino pulled off one of the best dances I've ever seen with Naruto."
Sakura didn't immediately know what she did, so in order to stop Hinata from getting sad, Ino pulled Hinata in closer and softly said in her ear, "Relax, it wasn't like that, Naruto just asked me to dance because I was looking for a partner and we took a few classes together… don't worry… he's all yours."
This resulted in a more positive, and slightly blushing Hinata, and a baffled Naruto at what happened, but he decided to leave it be for now.
"Oh yeah, Sakura, it's not like you to join our talks, why now?" asked Hinata.
"Oh yeah," said Sakura, "as of last night, we're all friends again."
"Good to hear," said Hinata.
This conversation went on for a while until the teacher, Iruka, stood up and decided to start class.
"Hello all, as you all know, today is the day you split into you teams, the same team you will be with for the entirety of your time as a genin," said Iruka, "You probably cannot wait to figure it out, so let's get started."
Iruka read out the names for teams 1 through 6, before finally the main characters get their teams announced.
"Team Seven, under the tutelage of Hatake Kakashi will be: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke," said Iruka.
This resulted in a squealing Sakura, having her two first picks as members of her team: her crush, and her new best friend. Naruto seemed content as well, and Sasuke knew it definitely could've been worse.
"Team Eight, under the tutelage of Yuhi Kurenai will be: Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino," said Iruka.
None of them gave any serious reaction, instead they just looked around until they saw their other members and nodded to each other.
"Team nine is still in circulation, so team ten, under the tutelage of Asuma Sarutobi will be: Akimichi Chouji, Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino," said Iruka.
None of them complained, instead they looked at each other and nodded contently, honestly happy with their pairings.
Iruka then said teams eleven and twelve before dismissing the class for lunch.
The six of them walked outside and got a table for themselves, and as they ate their bentos, they decided to talk about the teams.
"So… guys… are you OK with your teams?" asked Naruto.
"I couldn't be happier with mine," said Sakura as she dreamily thought about Sasuke.
"Sakura-chan, that fangirly attitude will get you killed," said Naruto.
"Shut up, I'll never change," said Sakura.
"We may have to do something about that," thaught Naruto to himself.
"Well I'm just happy that what I did yesterday still got me on the strongest team, I thought that my team would suck or a second there," said Naruto.
"Well I'm happy too," said Ino, "Sure you and Sasuke would've been better for me, but the Ino-Shika-Cho squad is a necessity when possible, and it's not like I hate my teammates either."
"I'll agree with that," said Chouji.
"I'd prefer not to have a team," said Shikamaru, "I just want to lie back, and look at the clouds, play games of shougi and whatnot, not go on missions."
"How much you guys wanna bet Shikaku was the same way," Naruto said to the Ino-Shika-Cho kids. Getting laughs in response.
"Oh yeah, Hinata," Sakura said, "you aren't with anyone in this group, are you OK with your team."
"*Sighs* I would have liked that, but I'm mature enough to understand that they are raising a team of tracking units, so it will be better for me to be on a team with people like that," said Hinata, "That being said, it's not all bad, Shino is quiet like I am… and Kiba I could get used too."
They noticed that Hinata's voice was getting sadder a little bit at a time. She was sad that she would get separated from all of her friends… Sakura, Ino, Chouji, Shikamaru and ESPECIALLY Naruto are all friends she made in the academy… albeit recently but made nonetheless. She was sad that she only got two days of this kind of happiness, and now it will all be taken away from her, just as fast as it came. Naruto seeing this did what he does best… make people happy.
"Hinata-chan don't worry about it, it's not like you won't see us anymore, I will at least be sure to come visit you as much as possible, and I'm sure those who don't think it's a drag agrees with me," Naruto said, resulting in a nod from everyone and a Shikamaru grumbling about 'annoying blonds', "We are friends forever, and I don't want a day to go by where you don't remember that."
To that, Hinata let out a smile and a blush, and nodded, "Hai."
"Well actually, I do have one request for you though," said Naruto.
"Name it," said Hinata.
"Have Kiba and Shino join the group," said Naruto, "Kiba seems fun and Shino needs to get out of his comfort zone, so please, be friends with them, and next time we meet, introduce them to me with pride."
"Hai," Hinata said, intending on completing Naruto's request.
And from there, the conversation started going in a more lighthearted direction. They were talking about missions they wanted to do, things they wanted in a sensei, and when they would make time to see each other. Then, Iruka called the students in and they awaited their senseis.
After twenty minutes of waiting, teams 7, 8 and 10 were the only ones waiting for their senseis and it started getting on their nerves.
"What's taking them so long," said a slightly impatient Chouji.
"Yeah, he's probably a sensei that's late for everything a…" Ino said, about to continue but a Jonin walked into the class.
He looked into the nine kids in the room and said, "Team 10's sensei Asuma Sarutobi is here, meet me on the shuriken jutsu field if five minutes," Asuma said before shunshining out of the room.
"Well Naruto, this is goodbye," Chouji said before running out of the room.
"You'll be staying at the Nara compound in a week so I'll see you then," said the Lazy Nara as he walked out of the classroom.
"Well, I'll see you at home after the team meeting I guess," said Ino, "So see you soon Naru-kun."
This left a slightly embarrassed Naruto, a laughing Kiba and a fuming Hinata. This was due to the fact that Shino and Sasuke didn't care… and Sakura…
"Naru-kun huh, has a good ring to it," said Sakura to herself.
"I'm doomed" thought Naruto to himself.
Right after said thought, another Jounin walked into the room. This Jounin had long, sort of wavy, long hair. She wore a dress that looked like it was made of large bandages with chainmail on the inside and it had red sleeves. She wore red lipstick, a bit too much eye shadow and had red eyes… that is what stood out the most about her.
Since Kiba knew his sensei was a girl, and that his team was one of the only two left, he got a good look at his sensei, and could barely stop himself from drooling at the results.
"Team eight's sensei, Kurenai Yuhi is here, report to the school gate in five minutes," the red-eyed beauty said before shunshining to the gate.
Both Kiba and Shino left without a word, but Hinata decided to say a few last words.
"Naruto-kun, Sakura, don't forget, we'll see eachother soon," said Hinata as she walked out.
"Yeah," said both Naruto and Sakura at the same time as they gave her a nod.
After that, things got boring, Sakura and Naruto talked from time to time and Sasuke was brooding to pass the time, but their sensei hasn't arrived yet… half an hour past Kurenai.
"Hey guys," Naruto said, projecting his voice so that both Sakura and Sasuke could hear him, "something you may want to know about Kakashi is that he is always at least an hour late to anything that isn't a mission… so… just letting you guys know of that…"
"Hmph," is all Sasuke replied with, but it was more of an annoyed/good to know kind of grunt than the typical non-caring grunt he usually sports.
"WHAT… WHY DID WE GET THE BAD SENSEI!?" screamed Sakura.
"By no means did we get a bad sensei, most jonin would kill to have him as a sensei… he just happens to be late all the time," said Naruto.
"And you'd know this how?" asked Sakura.
"His file of course," said Naruto, "He's one of the strongest shinobi in the hidden leaf period."
"The files within the archives are preserved for chunin and up only, how do you have access?" asked Sasuke, much to both of their surprise.
"I have my ways," said Naruto.
"He may be more interesting than I thought," thought Sasuke to himself.
Then the door opened slowly, revealing a man with spiky, silver, hair worn up, a Konoha hitai ite covering his left eye and a mask covering most of his face. Besides that, there was nothing distinguishable about him, he wore the standard Konoha Jounin uniform, with the green flak jacket, blue under-jacket and pants with bandaged on the bottom. He also wore the standard Konoha ninja sandals. At first glance, you wouldn't think he's all that powerful, just your normal cyclopian Jonin of konoha… but if only they knew what was under that hitai ite.
"Kakashi of the Sharingan, earlier than usual I see," said Naruto.
"Yes, well you see," started Kakashi in a bored tone, "the Hokage threatened to demote me to chunin if I got here as late as usual… so I came earlier."
"Psh, could've fooled me," said Sakura.
"Nope, it's 10:55, you waited since 10:00, that means you have waited 55 minutes rather than an hour," said Kakashi, "Well, anyways, meet me on the roof of this building in… two minutes.
Kakashi then shunshined out of the building, and to the roof. Sakura and Sasuke decided to take the stairs, but looked back when they saw Naruto open a window.
"Baka, what are you doing," Sakura said as she saw Naruto go out the window. Only to be responded with a Naruto casually walking up the academy wall.
"..."
"..."
"Let's pretend we never saw that," said Sakura, resulting in a silent nod from Sasuke before they continued running to the stairs.
-(With Naruto)-
Naruto got to the roof to see a Kakashi casually reading his Icha-Icha Paradise with a blush on his face.
"You got here faster than I expected Naruto," said Kakashi, "Wall walking?"
"Yup, learned it when I was seven," said Naruto with a grin, earning him no response.
After a few more seconds of Naruto silently watching Kakashi read his por… I mean book, later, and the other two got there, Sasuke then Sakura.
"OK guys, let's get things started," said Kakashi, "If you don't mind, take a seat in front of me and explain to me about you."
"Like?" asked Sakura.
"Well… your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams for the future, stuff like that," said Kakashi, "And since you asked, would you like to get us started Pinkie."
"Ok I guess," Sakura said, not appreciating the nickname, "I am Sakura Haruno, my likes include Naruto, Sasuke-kun, picking flowers, dumplings and books, my dislikes include dumb people, spicy foods and anything depressing…"
"So you hate depressing things but like Sasuke…" thought both Naruto and Kakashi to themselves.
"My hobbies include: arranging flowers in nice ways, writing books, and possibly stocking Sasuke," Sakura continued, "And my dreams, to become a respectable kunoichi and gain the attention of Sasuke-kun."
"If they pass, I need to do something about Sakura's attitude, she can't go on even a C-Rank mission with that," thought Kakashi, "Well, that was… something… well, prettyboy, your turn."
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke, I don't have any likes, and I have too many dislikes to talk about so I'll skip those, my hobbies include training and thinking about my dream… which is to avenge my clan, by killing a certain, someone," said the moody Uchiha.
"So that's how it is," thought Kakashi, "and you, Blondie, your turn."
"Well, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, my likes include ramen, dancing, and spending time with my friends. My dislikes are those who criticize others with no reason, spoiled brats, and people who give up too easily… oh and vegetables. My hobbies include participating in eating contests, watching the clouds, dancing… and my favorite… training. My dream… well it changed throughout the years. At first it was to make a friend, then it was to become a shinobi stronger than Inoichi, Choza or Shikaku, then it was to become Hokage… but now… it's to keep getting stronger… to always be strong enough to protect those I hold dear," Naruto said, the last statement with a grin that reminded him of Obito. A splitting image formed in his mind at how similar they are, personality wise, physically, everything. It unconsciously caused him to put a hand on his left eye, which was covered by the hitai ite.
"Well, hello Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, let's get straight to the point," said Kakashi, "You aren't Genin yet."
There was no reaction.
"You would've got us if Naruto didn't already explain it to us," said Sakura.
"Over and over with him, this is no ordinary academy graduate," thought Kakashi, "Well he is correct, and since he already explained it to you, I guess all you need to know is that it happens at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow, at training ground seven."
Kakashi started walking away before he said, "Oh, and you may not want to eat breakfast, you'll just throw it all up… ja ne."
"OK guys, let me tell you something about this test," said Naruto.
"And how would you know this?" said Sasuke, "I'm pretty sure this is not something that would be on his file."
"Well, I have other ways," said Naruto, "anywho, the test he will administer is called the bell test, it is a test about teamwork. What he will do is hold up two bells and make it so the one who doesn't get the bell will go back to the academy. Probably also take our hunger as an advantage and deny us lunch because he suggested for us not to eat breakfast. The point of this test is to disrupt our teamwork by saying that at least one of us will be sent back to the academy, making us enter a competitive state, which is a wonder that anyone falls for that considering you can't have a two person genin team."
Sakura and Sasuke were listening with interest at what Naruto was saying, considering the likeness of something like this occurring. Then they felt like idiots when he mentioned that there can't be a two person genin team.
"So, this is what we do, we'll come up with a strategy in the hour that we're waiting for sensei, one that requires a large amount of teamwork and utilizes all of our strengths, that way, we'll be sure to become genin," said Naruto, "Oh, and before I go, one more thing. Whatever you do, don't skip breakfast."
Naruto then jumped across the rooftops to the Yamanaka compound, where he left a Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi thinking.
When Kakashi "left" from them, he didn't actually leave. He hid on a nearby rooftop and listened in on their conversation, and was quite surprised. He just heard Naruto explain his secret genin test, the one no one passed, the one no one knew about. And this confused him.
"How did he know of the test," Kakashi thought to himself, "he has access to tons of info that he shouldn't, I need to talk to him."
Kakashi then shunshined to behind Naruto, ready to talk to him.
-(With Naruto)-
Naruto was jumping across the rooftops of konoha, thinking of today and all it has achieved.
"Kakashi as my sensei huh? This could be interest," thought Naruto to himself, "And my teammates… Sakura is my friend, so I'm glad to have her… but… she's pretty weak, may require protection. And if she isn't kicked out of that Sasuke fangirling attitude… No, I won't let that happen. Oh, and Sasuke… Strong for our age, in the top percentile of graduates… but that attitude is bad. Lower him a peg or five and he may be a good teammate, but alas, he's still a dick."
That is when he realized that someone is trailing him, and that the chakra is familiar… Kakashi.
"Sensei, you can stop trailing me," said Naruto.
"Oh, you looked lost in thought, didn't think you would detect me," said Kakashi with a slight hint of surprise in his dull voice.
"Well, Inu-san, I've felt that chakra so many times that it isn't a question of who or if," said Naruto.
"So you realized," said Kakashi.
"You saved me quite a few times Inu-san, how wouldn't I realize it," said Naruto.
"Maybe since you were too skilless to sense chakra," said Kakashi.
"But what is a shinobi's greatest weapon?" asked Naruto, "That's right deception. I used a fuinjutsu to transform myself into the orange-clad idiot, but did lots of training in the background… now… why would I do this?"
"The dead last is partnered up with the best shinobi in the class, that was smart" Kakashi said in a satisfied voice.
"Mmhmm," said Naruto with a nod.
"Wait… fuinjutsu, is it yours?" asked Kakashi.
"Yeah, I do that," said Naruto, "Only a B-Rank specialist though."
"That's my rank," thought Kakashi, "What else did you hide, and while you're at it, how did you know about the bell test?"
"Well Inu-san, is this some kind of interrogation?" asked Naruto jokingly, "If you have anything to check out, read my new file, after all… I've seen yours."
On that note, Naruto left, continuously jumping from roof to roof towards the Yamanaka compound… leaving Kakashi with one final thing in his head.
"Shit… I forgot to ask about the files."
Right now, Ino was a bit annoyed, Naruto told her about the genin exams just yesterday and Ino forc… I mean asked Naruto to train with her what was supposed to be now, but he isn't here.
"What's taking him so long?" thought that same, annoyed Ino, "His sensei got there after mine, I get it, BUT I GOT HERE THIRTY MINUTES AGO!"
As Ino was thinking this, she was pacing back and forth, something she tends to do when thinking hard.
What is causing him to take so lo…" she was thinking before interrupted by…
"Hey Ino, sorry for getting here so late," said Naruto as he entered the room.
"What took you so long?!" asked Ino.
"I had Kakashi as a sensei," said Naruto.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"You never heard of Kakashi's legendary lateness spree?" asked Inoichi as he walked up from behind them, "If he's your sensei I'm surprised you got back so early."
"This'll be fun," said Ino, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"You may want to pity Sakura for once," said Naruto, "She doesn't have the most self control… to say the least."
"Nah… not yet at least," said Ino.
"Well, onto training," said Naruto.
-(9:00 A.M. the next day: Training Ground 7)-
As of right at that time, there was no one at the training ground, but there was someone on the way… Sakura. Trying to be as punctual as possible, (Maybe or maybe not because her mother forced her) she left early to the training court, but walked slowly with the knowledge that Kakashi would likely get there past ten, but alas she still had a long wait. But not for company.
It was ten minutes later when Naruto came leisurely strolling to the field. He wasn't expecting anyone, so it came to him as a surprise when he saw Sakura already there, doing light warm ups for the test.
"Hey Sakura-chan, didn't expect to see you here this early," said Naruto.
"Hi Naru-kun," said Sakura.
"I'm gonna get Ino back for this," thought Naruto, "I'll start planning the prank right after the test."
"Yeah, parents made me leave early," said Sakura, "I didn't even eat a full breakfast before I left."
"Well I can help with that," said Naruto, to which Sakura raised an eyebrow to. To prove his point, he sat down, got a scroll from his back pocket, opened it, and slammed his palm on the sealing array on the opened scroll. With a slight infusion of chakra, a puff of smoke blew from the seal, and soon enough, three bento boxes was shown to be there.
"We can't have you fighting on an empty stomach," said Naruto with a smile as he held out one of the bento boxes, "Have some."
"Are you sure about that, you're a far greater asset to the fight than I am," said Sakura.
"This is teamwork Sakura, our chances of passing is about as strong as our weakest link, so don't worry about me," said Naruto reassuringly, "And besides, I've fought on far worse than an empty stomach… not that that's an issue in this case."
"OK fine, if you insist," said Sakura as she hesitantly grabbed one of the boxes. Naruto then gave her a pair of chopsticks, and they ate. Naruto two boxes, Sakura one.
-(Ten minutes later)-
Both Sakura and Naruto finished their breakfasts and were in the middle of a fun conversation when Sasuke's image became visible just about a hundred meters away.
"Hi Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called out as she waved at Sasuke frantically. To which Sasuke responded with arriving at their location and giving a solid, "hn."
"So Sasuke, you had breakfast right?" asked Naruto.
"Naturally," responded Sasuke, "So can we start planning?"
"Stole the words right out of my mouth, Naruto said as he took a scroll out of his puch, that then, in a puff of smoke, grew to about two feet tall. He then undid the scroll, took out a normal pen, and made general markings on the paper of the clearing they were in and the trees surrounding it.
"So, shall we begin," said Naruto, intentionally not saying it as a question.
"The more effectively placed our teamwork is the better, so we should try overwhelming him before going for the finishing combo," said Naruto.
"Yeah, but he's a jounin, how can we overwhelm him," said Sakura, "And if what you say is correct, a very powerful one as well."
"Yeah, he became a jounin at age 10, and became an Anbu captain at around our age, he is by no means weak," said Naruto, "But I've fought my fair share of Jounin before, I can tire him."
"I don't see you as a jounin," said Sasuke.
"I have my reasons, ones that I can't really mention as of now," said Naruto, believe me when I say that I could've been one by now, but it wouldn't of had a favorable outcome."
Sasuke decided he'll just wait and see.
"Regardless, I still believe we should have a backup plan just in case you can't hold him," said Sasuke.
"It's always nice to take precautions," said Naruto.
-(Fifteen minutes later)-
"And once we've forced Kakashi into a substitution, one of my clones will find Kakashi-sensei, and he'll surely allow us to pass," said Naruto.
They have been spending the entirety of the past fifteen minutes coming up with plans A, B, C, and D for what they'll do against their sensei. All of which involve teamwork to some extent, but beyond that, they wanted to show their individual abilities, but that wasn't plan A. Plan A was quick, easy and efficient, with all of them contributing to the final blow, but Naruto was the only one to do any significant work… they hoped not to resort to plans B and up.
"I guess that'll work," said Sasuke, "We may not be able to beat him, but no one is expecting us to… but regardless, we'll get closer than anyone is expecting."
"So you do believe in my strength," said Naruto.
"No, not yet, but I'm going under the assumption that plan A will work," said Sasuke.
"Well then, just watch and learn I guess," said Naruto.
They then spent the remaining twenty minutes or so doing warm ups to get their blood flowing, for once happy with their sensei's tardiness. (That's not saying much considering it's been only two meetings)
When they finished their individual warm ups, Kakashi showed up. He was still reading his book.
"I need to know what that book is," thought the three of them in unison.
"Hey guys, you ready to begin?"asked Kakashi, "Not that it matters."
After saying that he showed two bells and started explaining the test.
"OK, this is what we call the bell test.."
"He was right," thought both Sasuke and Sakura in unison.
"The point of this test is to get one of these bells before the three hour time limit is up. Now, something you may want to know about this test is that since there are two bells and three people, the one of you that don't get the bell will get sent back to the academy and denied lunch. The area limit is a mile in any direction from this point, you will see markers as to where it is," Kakashi said, resulting in no reaction from the students since they already knew, "Oh, and one final thing, if you don't come at me with the intent to kill, you won't pass."
At this, both Sakura and Sasuke looked ready to start, while Naruto gave no reaction. They were to go with plan A.
"Ready… GO," Kakashi said, resulting in Sasuke and Sakura jumping away, and Naruto staying where he is.
"Oh, Naruto, aren't you gonna hide like the rest of them?" asked Kakashi.
"Nah, I've wanted to fight you for years now, and this is the perfect chance… Kakashi of the Sharingan," stated Naruto.
"He really did read my file," thought Kakashi.
"Considering your posture, you're not taking me seriously," stated Naruto, "It appears you didn't bother reading my file."
"Some ego you have there," said Kakashi.
"I just feel sure of myself, I mean, I've beat a few Jounin myself," said Naruto bluntly, "You'll find that I'm no ordinary genin."
Suddenly, in a split second, Naruto released his resistance seals and ran behind Kakashi. Once there, he placed a kunai to his neck, surprising Kakashi.
"Impressive," Kakashi said before he substituted with a log and stabbed Naruto from behind with a kunai in his hand, drawing blood, "But I'm a Jounin for a reason you know."
"Yeah," Naruto said unphased before he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Now a new Naruto came in from behind Kakashi and kicked Kakashi off the branch "And so was Asuma."
(Aaaaaaand… Scene)
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