Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

EDITED: 26th January 2013

Author's note:so here is the new chapter. I added a little of team bonding and the part about Konohamaru that weren't there in the first draft of the story, but I thought it was good to show character-character interactions. Well, the chapter became a little long (read: VERY long), but that's too bad.

Thanks to everyone for reading, especially to those who have shown passive support by adding the story to favourite/alert. A very special thanks to kazers, Neo Amon and Zelman clock is HOT for the very encouraging reviews. I was happy that I managed to write the bond between Naruto and Akimi in a enjoyable way. I hope I described Team 7 dynamics well in this chapter as well. I think that the importance teamwork and bonds have in Naruto is one of the best part of the show, so I want to valorize them in this story as well.

Now, off with go with the actual chapter:

GENIN LIFE

October, 21st 213 – Hokage Office, 7.00 PM

"You are late even by your standards, Kakashi." Sarutobi said, sternly, breathing an intake of smoke from his pipe.

"Sorry, I got tied up." Kakashi said, putting a hand behind his head. 'This is time is actually the truth...'

Hiruzen chuckled. "Certainly, Kakashi-kun."

"No, I'm totally serious. And I know I should be embarrassed, but somehow I kind of feel proud of them... my students tied me up."

The old Kage smiled. Given which genins they were talking about, it was indeed possible. "They are better than I gave them credit for."

"Honestly, Hokage-sama, the Academy got everything wrong! Shino is a great support-long range fighter. His Kikaichū are a great tool for reconnaissance. His intelligence will allow him to become a fearsome shinobi. I plan to work with him on his taijutsu and team tactics. I think he can learn ninjutsu well with his clan."

Sarutobi nodded. "So he worked well with Akimi-chan and Naruto?"

Kakashi sighed. "They made me believe they were excluding him, while he was using his bugs to stealthily steal my chakra. Akimi and Naruto are... something else." The jōnin smiled. "Let's start with the girl. She is highly intelligent and analytic, moreover she is very controlled. She is obviously a nerd and is very well versed in Fūinjutsu. I've seen her use an Immobility seal and some sort of jolting seal. She also appears to have taught Naruto about seals. Her Taijutsu is well above genin level, but it isn't her forte. Ninjutsu is. I believe she has already mastered some degrees of elemental manipulation and her control seems astonishing. She used two C rank techniques on me and a D rank one and we had been fighting for at least an hour. I'm not sure about her proficiency in Genjutsu, but she successfully dispelled a minor illusion I placed on her while pretending she had been affected by it."

"I expected this. Her clan was renowned for their mastery over Katon manipulation. I'm speaking of levels that would make the Uchiha appear as mere tricksters. Likewise, they were also quite knowledgeable about seals, not at the level of the Uzumaki, but very close."

"I've never heard of a Katora clan."

"Because that is a decoy name. Only Akimi and I – and Naruto, I suppose – know the truth about Akimi's past. And I beg you of never push her to reveal anything. She is very secretive."

"Which is why you paired her with an Aburame."

"Yes." Sarutobi nodded. "Now tell me about Naruto."

"He – is – NOT – a - bloody – dead last." Kakashi said. "He played me, pretending to be one, as a distraction for his teammates. He has astonishing stamina, I suppose it was to be expected..."

"The Nine Tails..."

"And better control than I had expected. He is a Fūton user, he possibly has mastered nature manipulation as well. That, or his massive reserves make his jutsu over-devastating. His Taijutsu is a crude, efficient and unpredictable style I never heard of. He cut me at one time with Wind chakra. I think."

Sarutobi whistled. "Incredible. So Akimi did have indeed a good influence on him."

"He also has a knack to create unexpected strategies... I'm not sure how much did he devise of the plan that took me down, because he and Akimi work in tandem so well that at times it is impossible to make out which one is actually the mastermind. But that is not the most surprising thing."

"No? What else could he have pulled off?"

"Kage Bunshin... hundreds of them. And I think also Akimi is aware of the technique. She launched a Shuriken Kage Bunshin at me."

Hiruzen's jaw dropped.

"What really puzzles me, is where did they learn them?"

"I think we need to pay a visit to your new wayward genins." Sarutobi said. "While we go, do tell me: how exactly did they manage to tie you up?"

"Oh, that's easy. I underestimated them."

"Good evening, Sandaime-sama, Hatake-sensei." Akimi bowed. She was dressed in an elegant red and golden kimono. The dress was quite striking on her. "Do come in, please."

The girl escorted them in the sitting room.

"What can I do for you?" Akimi asked, sitting down. "And would you like something to drink? Tea? Sake?"

"Why would you have sake here, Akimi-chan?" the Hokage asked, raising an eyebrow.

"For guests, of course. I really don't think I'll ever indulge in the pleasure of alcohol, since I don't really want to mess up my control and unleash an inferno around."

Hiruzen nodded, well aware of how dangerous a berserker Enkounkin could be. Kakashi, per se, had sworn not to underestimate the girl again, so he simply eye smiled.

"I think we'll have tea." the Sandaime said. "Where is Naruto, Akimi-chan?"

"Training, where else? I convinced him to cut out the pranks now that he is a genin. You know, credibility and all..." Akimi rubbed her neck.

"You managed to do that?" Hiruzen asked, surprised. "How...? On a second thought, I don't really want to know. Why don't you go prepare the tea you mentioned? I'll go get Naruto myself. Come, Kakashi."

The girl sighed, watching the two experienced shinobi head towards the training ground. "Meow!" she looked at the silver tiger who was sleeping on her favorite armchair near the fire.

"Last time I felt this way, was when Gramps spanked me after I got lost in the Great Forest..."

Kakashi and Sarutobi gaped. The relative small area of the training ground was covered in orange-clad Naruto, who was in training attire: an orange muscle shirt and orange pants.

The clones were divided in groups, each one doing something different. Some appeared to be practicing katas, while others supervised them. The biggest group was practicing with Fūton chakra, cutting trees and rocks alike. Another great bunch of them was meditating, sitting on the pound. A last group was hurling Wind Jutsu around.

The true Naruto was running laps around the perimeter, on the thin river.

"Naruto!" thundered Sarutobi.

The boy stopped in his tracks. "Uh? Oji-san!" he then exclaimed, rushing towards them. "What are you doing here? And Kakashi-sensei, too!"

"We need to speak to you and Akimi-chan, Naruto-kun." Hiruzen gravely said. "Come on. And dispel those clones. I want your full attention."

Naruto shrugged. "Sure thing." he turned to the clones. "Start dispelling. You know the drill!"

Sarutobi noted with a small pang of relief that the boy made sure his clones dispersed in small groups. He looked very adept at sorting out information, too. The blonde opened in a small smile after his wind manipulation clones dispelled.

"Let's go." Naruto said, jumping ahead happily. He easily ran ahead of them.

Hiruzen sighed. "He still is a little obvious."

"Or maybe he is playing you, Hokage-sama." Kakashi observed, with an eye smile.

The jōnin was right. "Why does Oji-san want to scold us, 'mi-chan?" asked Naruto, helping her with the tray she was carrying in the sitting room.

"We learned a secret and forbidden kinjutsu, 'to-kun."

"Oh." Naruto said. "How deep in trouble are we?"

"It depends. Let me do the talking."

Naruto nodded. In his opinion, jiji didn't stand a chance. Akimi really had a knack for persuasion. Before he could voice his thoughts, the Hokage and Kakashi entered.

"Ah, you are as always a lovely hostess, Akimi-chan." Sarutobi sat down in front of the tea, which was served with a fair amount of biscuits. "You have an idea why we are here?"

"You want to grill us about the extent of our abilities... and the risks we took training, I reckon." Akimi said, quietly. She was almost subdued.

"I gather you founded Kage Bunshin no Jutsu in your grandfather's scrolls, but I'm quite disappointed you decided to use it. What part of kinjutsu you don't understand, Akimi?"

"Wait a second, what makes you think it was her? Maybe I did try the jutsu by myself... even if she told me not to."

"Naruto, while I find your willingness to take the fall for your friend admirable, I know she is the single one person you really listen to. You wouldn't have tried it without her ok." Sarutobi said.

Naruto made to retort, but Akimi subtly kicked his shin. "Right, let her do the talking"

Akimi was looking intensively at the Sandaime. She wasn't afraid. Naruto figured that she tried the good girl act and, seeing its failure, she went for her decisive, ass-kicking side. Poor oji-san.

"With all due respect, Sandaime-sama." Akimi was very good at using a very respectful term making it sound... derisive. "I do understand kinjutsu. It's a particular set of techniques that has determinate risks, with a certain degree of lethality. In the case of Shadow Clones, the risk is basically in the chakra drain, correct? Naruto-kun is a walking powerhouse. Right now, he possesses roughly two times the size of Hatake-sensei's reserves, he has even more than you. And you are the most powerful shinobi in this village, are you not, Hokage-sama?"

Sarutobi sighed. "Fair enough. But what if you were wrong? What if there were other risks to the jutsu? Naruto could have hurt himself!"

"Yeah. Right. Mental strain, with potential permanent brain damage. In the worst case, the risk is entering a vegetative state. However..." Akimi stopped. "... Naruto-kun has incredible regenerative powers. That allows him to withstand the strain. Besides, why do you think he uses only one hundred clones for training?"

Sarutobi gaped. "What do you mean only?"

"How many did you do last time?" Akimi turned to Naruto, mildly interested.

Naruto scratched his head. "Four hundred seventy three..." he replied. "... I could have done more, but I doubt they could have used jutsu effectively, so..."

Kakashi and Hiruzen were speechless.

"Oh, boy... this should not be possible." the Hokage said. "It's..."

"Yeah, that happened to me too." Akimi said. "It's a shock, isn't it?"

"Fair enough, Akimi-chan, I probably underestimated your analytic prowess." Sarutobi said. "Can you do the jutsu as well?"

"Not in combat." Akimi replied. "Which is why I tried to modify it for shuriken, causing so much stupor in Hatake-sensei."

Kakashi eye smiled. "Why don't you call me with my name, Akimi-chan?"

"I have known you only for a day, Hatake-sensei." Akimi replied.

"Akimi here has been raised to be very strict and precise in what she says. I believe formality has been drilled into her since a young age. It's a tradition in your clan, correct?" Sarutobi said.

"It helps understanding seals, really. With seals you learn words have power, hence you get very wary with them."

"It makes sense." Kakashi nodded. "And I was surprised because that technique had been invented by Sandaime-sama, here. To think that you emulated him, even on a smaller scale, well, it's impressive."

Akimi almost blushed, while Naruto gave her thumbs up.

Sarutobi instead looked at the girl. "How many clones can you make?"

"Five." Akimi explained. "But they have the barely amount of chakra to keep going. Really, Sandaime-sama, before you start ranting again, I spent days doing calculations to see what amount of chakra was required to effectively create a functional copy of oneself."

"So, your grandfather did teach you jutsu manipulation." Sandaime said.

"I taught myself." Akimi said. "Besides, it's not very different from the principles of sealing, if you have enough mental elasticity. I'm going to ease your worries, though, the most advanced scrolls of my family, anything over some easy B-rank jutsu are kept in the land of my family's summon and I can't effectively sign the scroll before my thirteenth birthday, next year."

Sandaime nodded. "And how would you define your stamina?"

"Around chūnin level, more and less. But it's complicated."

"How so?" Kakashi asked. "And by the way, what good would five almost chakra-less clones do to you?"

Akimi looked at the masked jōnin, before biting her lips.

"Akimi-chan." Hiruzen said. "You can trust Kakashi. He is one of the top ranking ninja of this village, and maybe the most powerful after me and the Sannin. And he is your sensei now. Can you trust him to guard your back when you are on a mission?"

'Those who break the rule are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash.' Akimi heard the older ninja word and they moved something inside of her. 'His laid back attitude, his tardiness and his blatant perverseness... they are all parts of a mask.' "Activate." she said, crossing her finger in the half ram seal.

A complicate array of seals appeared all around the room, especially around the small table and the two couches. It glowed blue for a few seconds, and then disappeared. Akimi looked a little strained, but nevertheless fine.

"My clan has a deep connection with fire. It does not only result in an overall mastery and invention of Katon jutsu, but also in what you like to call a kekkai genkai. Sort of."

Sarutobi eyes widened. "Really? That old Katora! He kept secrets from me!"

"We are ninja, Sarutobi-sama." Akimi smiled gently. "Deception is our greatest weapon."

Kakashi laughed a little. "You have taken that concept to very high levels."

Naruto and Akimi smirked.

"What does your kekkai genkai do, Akimi?" asked the Hokage.

"It's very difficult to see, not like a dōjutsu such the Sharingan or Byakugan... it's a chakra based blood limit. Our chakra... well, my chakra... it burns."

Sarutobi and Kakashi looked puzzled.

"I can use emotions and meditation to fuel chakra. The regeneration of my chakra is much quicker than in the average ninja. I mean, Naruto-kun can regain almost all of his chakra level in one night of sleep, which is per se astonishing, but I can regain half of my level in two hours if I meditate. That's why my clones are useful."

"They have the same ability!" Sandaime shouted. "They could basically last forever if not hit! And they can create clones too."

"Indeed." Akimi nodded. "I use them for training purposes and moreover they help me increase my stamina. Oh, that's the thing... I have to work very hard to increase my stamina."

"It makes sense. It balances the power." Sandaime said. "This is astonishing. It's this how you managed to run for two weeks when you first reached Konoha?"

She nodded. "That's what made our home almost unconquerable. In a siege we could basically last forever, alternating who fought and who regenerated their power."

"Are they any other powers to this kekkai genkai?" Kakashi asked.

"It grants me a very easy time learning Katon manipulation. I'm connected to fire, in a way. It also greatly increases the power of Katon jutsu. That's why the members of my clan always had a least two elements mastered. I think there are other things... but I don't know of them yet, the specifics are in the scrolls which are not yet in my possession." Akimi explained. "We can also partly recreate this regeneration powers with chakra pills, which are similar to chakra pills but have less dangers."

'Interesting. Her ability is similar to that of the Akimichi clan, only being spiritual instead of physical...' "Right, Akimi-chan, and what about mental strain, are you being careful with it?" Sarutobi asked, worryingly.

"I'm used to it. I've been connected with Kaera-chan since I was two years old and only recently we learned to filter the link." Akimi explained. "So it isn't that bad for me."

"Can you introduce me to this Kaera? I would like to know her abilities so I can integrate her in our team's training." Kakashi asked, with an eye smile.

"Here, Kaera." Akimi said softly but commandingly.

A small silvery tigress jumped right on the table, her movement quick and ninja-like. She was the size of a house-kitten, but had very long and fierce looking fangs. Her long tail waved lazily.

"Meet Hatake-sensei, Kaera-chan."

"Meow."

Kakashi nodded at the animal.

"Kaera-chan is bonded to me through a very complex seal. As such, we share chakra and have a mental link. Her main ability is that of blending into the surroundings and sensing chakra, she is therefore a good spy. She is quite weak in combat, but can manipulate fire to a certain extent, even though it isn't her affinity."

"She can master an affinity?"

Akimi rubbed the tiger's head. "She is a summon."

Kakashi eye gaped. "I see."

"However, her growth is very limited because she lives in this plane as a consequence of our bond. This is why she can't talk yet, nor can she use her affinity or jutsu. She is very intelligent, it's more her physical abilities that are contained."

"What about you two?" Kakashi asked. "Tell me the extent of your abilities. The truth, if you please."

"I'll start, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed. "In a little while I want to try the second main stage of wind manipulation, cutting the waterfall. I can create blade of winds for a short time and I've integrated this in my style! The Cutting Eight Limb Style, dattebayo! I know a fair amount of D-rank wind jutsu and two C-rank, one offensive and one defensive!"

"The Daitoppa." Kakashi said. "What about your defensive one?"

"It's Kaze no Tate. A wind shield... Akimi-chan figured out the hand seals from the Hi no Tate."

"Impressive. What else?"

"I'm good at making traps." Naruto said. "And then there is Kage Bunshin of course."

"We use weight and resistance seals." Akimi intervened. "And we have mastered waterfall walking. We use meditation extensively. This for what concerns chakra control. I think Naruto has easily reached level five in Fūinjutsu, while myself... I'm not sure, really."

"What's the most complex seal you have made, Akimi-chan?" Sarutobi asked.

"Mmm... the protection seals I put on our clothes. I modified a chakra absorbing seal with a chakra storage one, connecting it to a minor protection seal and linked it to a special hand seal for activation. We tested it and it does repel up to a standard C-rank jutsu."

Sarutobi gaped. "That's easily a level 7, borderline 8. What else?"

"I bet Hatake-sensei told you about our Jolting Seal... I firstly devised it to help Naruto-kun learn meditation."

Naruto pouted. "It would zap me if I moved. It was mean, I tell you."

The two elder men chuckled.

"Then there is the Immobility Seals. I'm working on advanced chakra storage seals and chakra absorption seals for battle. Then there are of course various degrees of storage seals. Then Protection seals and privacy seals. Oh, and detection seals. Naruto-kun and I covered the whole compound in an array mixing those." Akimi scratched her head. "I can also stabilize a genjutsu seal to cover up traps."

"So you have started in seal creations." Sarutobi nodded. "You had some pretty good ideas."

"Naruto-kun helped with those, he is very creative."

"But 'mi-chan is better than me at all the technical and calculation parts, dattebayo."

'Again, the perfect team.' "How far along are you in Katon manipulation, Akimi?" asked the Hokage.

"I started working on melting metals." she smiled. "But it's very difficult. I have mastered the D rank jutsu so I can use them with only the tiger seal. And I also know two C rank: the Goukakyuu and Hi no Tate. Oh, and the Shuriken Kage Bunshin, of course."

"And you also worked well in tandem, as I've seen" Kakashi nodded. "I'll enjoy teaching you. But first, I want you to help me bring Shino to a nearer level with you two. Chakra control and physical conditioning."

"Sure, no prob."

"Very well, then I'll see you tomorrow." and the jōnin disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"I so want to learn the Sunshin!" Naruto whined.

Sarutobi chuckled. "I bet you can get Kakashi to teach you. And now, alas, I've to go back to paperwork."

"Ne, jiji, why don't you use Kage Bunshin with that?"

And the old venerated Sandaime promptly fainted at how easy the solution to the problem was.

"Why didn't we tell jiji that we know about my tenant?" Naruto asked, once the old man left for good.

Akimi's eyes grew darker. "Because he should tell you, by all means, and I want to see if he does."

"So you are testing him?"

"Pretty much." Akimi looked at her best friend. "So much has been kept from you. Your seal, your heritage... I will never fully trust the Sandaime until everything is cleared."

"Maybe if we confront him now he would tell us."

"He still thinks we are children. He would patronize us. Like he did with Kage Bunshin." Akimi said. "Besides, think of his expression once he starts talking to you, all serious and then... bum, you tell him: 'I already know, dattebayo.' He'll be so taken aback!"

Naruto smirked at her. "Another perfect prank. I think I rubbed off you."

"Yeah, that you did."

October 22nd, 213 – Bridge

Shino was a little baffled. Just a little.

He thought he could work very well with Akimi and Naruto – the bell test had showed as much – and all things considered he was quite happy with his team. Except now he was having some doubts. He arrived first at the bridge, the meeting point Kakashi-sensei had set for them. Akimi and Naruto arrived soon after, at eight o'clock precisely. While he thought that Akimi was the more precise and thoughtful of the duo, Shino would have bet some of his Kikaichū – and Aburame were very protective of their insects – that it was Naruto the first out of their house that morning. The blonde genin was running and jumping ahead of Akimi, whereas the girl calmly walked down the street, a book in hand. It was Naruto's hyperactive behavior that gave him reservations.

"Ohi, Shino!" shouted the blonde in question, rushing towards him. "Are you excited for this, dattebayo? It's our first mission as a ninja!"

"..."

"I bet it will be something cool! Maybe we'll need to save someone famous. Or help some village against evil bandits, dattebayo. Or hunt a missing nin or..."

"Naruto!" Akimi exclaimed, finally reaching them. "Give it a rest, you'll know as soon as Hokage-sama assigns us a task, until then there are so many possibilities you can't possibly know."

Shino breathed in relief, as Naruto seemed to subside a little.

Akimi nodded politely at him. "Good morning, Shino."

He nodded back. He was not a person of many words, after all.

They waited silently – if you don't count Naruto's excited squeals – for an half an hour. Eventually, Akimi closed her book with a resigned sigh. "I think Hatake-sensei is late."

"I doubt he'll ever arrive on time." Shino replied.

She tilted her head. "Naruto, leave a clone here to tell sensei we are at the training grounds." she smirked. "I think you need to blow some steam off."

Naruto smirked back. "Oh, you are so on!"

"Tell me, Shino..." Akimi said, starting to walk. "... do you know how to climb trees?"

Kakashi Hatake was not a man to hold grudges. He rarely consorted with civilians and he learned the hard way how truly frail life is in the shinobi world. A comrade, a friend could die unexpectedly and suddenly, from one day to another.

But he would be damned if he didn't get back at his genins for their stunt yesterday. He smirked evilly from under his mask, using Sunshin to appear in one of the high decorative arches near the bridge. "Yo!"

Only his students weren't there. Well, not all of them.

"Ohi, sensei!" Naruto shouted at him. "You are late."

"Well, I got lost on the road of life..."

"Oh, wait until 'mi-chan hears this!" Naruto laughed. "The others and the boss are at the training grounds, by the way."

Kakashi eye smiled. "Are they? So you are a clone?"

"Yes, dattebayo!" was the answer. "They didn't want to waste time, you know... do you want me to dispel and tell them to get here?"

"I'm going over there. Can you wait before dispelling thought?"

"Sure thing, sensei! Kaera-chan and Shino's bugs are sure to be around though."

Kakashi shook his head. 'Naruto has a way to always surprise you. He immediately guessed I wanted to observe them without being noticed.' "I'll be careful, don't worry." and he disappeared with a puff of smoke.

Kakashi approached the training grounds with caution. It was difficult to watch out for the Aburame's insects, but he wasn't an elite jōnin for nothing, was he?

He couldn't help but smile at the scene that welcomed him in the main clearing. Naruto was battling with a dozen of his clones and if the state of the grounds were any indication it had been a while since they had started – and they didn't hold back on their jutsu, either.

Shino and Akimi were near the small wood and the girl was obviously teaching her teammate how to climb trees. From what he could see, the Aburame had already made some progresses. He waited to show himself until the true Naruto finally defeated his clones and joined the other two.

"How is it going, dattebayo?" he exclaimed.

"Well." Shino replied. "Thank you for teaching me."

"Nah, we are teammates, we ought to help each other!"

"It will allow me to discover a lot of new species." it looked as if Shino was smiling, even if he was covered by his jacket's collar. "And I can see how useful it is. How come you already know something like this?"

Naruto indicated his best friend. "She reads a lot."

"My grandfather left me a fair amount of scrolls. He wanted me to be able to fend for myself." Akimi looked sad for a second. "And with Naruto's huge reserves we had to look for some kind of chakra control exercise."

Shino nodded, fixing his glasses. "Logical."

"Yo, students!" Kakashi exclaimed, jumping behind them.

He saw Akimi tense, as if she readied herself for a possible attack, before relaxing. Shino didn't react and Naruto jumped towards him, waving his closed fist. 'Interesting...'

"You're late, sensei!" he shouted.

"Mah, sorry..." Kakashi started, ruffling his hair. "I got lost on the road of life."

"One would think a jōnin had a better sense of direction than that." Akimi pointed out. "We must remember to take some good maps with us when we go out of the village with you."

Kakashi didn't deign her an answer. "Well, kids, how would you like a mission?"

And with that, any trace of annoyance at his lateness disappeared.

"What are we waiting for?" shouted Naruto.

Academy, Mission Assignment Desk

Kakashi guided them to a spacious room in the Ninja Academy. An entire wall was made by high ceiling windows, making it bright and airy. The Hokage sat behind a long desk full of scattered papers and scrolls. Iruka flanked him, to help with most administrative duties. There were several other chūnin on two lateral desks, which usually dealt with incoming mission and the payment of completed ones.

"Ah, Team Kakashi." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly, puffing from his pipe. "Here for your first mission, I assume?"

"You bet, oji-san!" Naruto yelled. "I am a step closer taking that hat from you."

Akimi placed a hand on her face, resigned. She didn't waste breath reprimanding Naruto for his blatant disrespect. It was a lost cause. And the wizened Kage didn't really mind after all.

"I am sure, Naruto." the old man chuckled, opening a scroll with a green label. "Now, I think I have just the right thing for you three: you can choose between collecting litter from our main park, helping Genku-san moving or pull the weeds off from Yoyju-sama's garden."

There was a second of utter, complete silence. You could've even heard a pin drop. It didn't last long.

"NANI?"

Kakashi thought the volume of the scream could have damaged his eardrums. Akimi swatted the blonde. "Forgive him, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen chuckled. "Don't worry." he then looked at the jōnin. "So, what will it be?"

The masked man secretly smirked. "Actually, Hokage-sama, I was wondering if the usual D-rank mission's request to clean the Inuzuka clan's kennels is available."

No, Kakashi Hatake was not a man to hold grudges. But the faces of his three genins when they understood what exactly they would do that day was priceless. 'Take that, brats!' Life was good.

Later that afternoon, Hokage Office

"You wanted to speak with us, Hokage-sama?" Akimi asked, as she and Naruto entered the oval office.

Hiruzen nodded and smiled at them. "You seem to have survived the kennels quite well." he said.

"Very funny, old man!" Naruto shouted. "Why did you comply with Kakashi-sensei's request, dattebayo?"

"Spare me, boy. It was too good of a chance to let it pass." Hiruzen puffed with his pipe. "Nobody ever wants to take that mission!"

Akimi snorted. "Wonder why..."

Sarutobi chuckled. "It's the second most hated mission of all time."

"You mean there is something worse?" Naruto breathed, as if in disbelief. "Really?"

"You'll see." the Hokage replied. "Everyone has to go through that mission after all."

"So you have called us here just to practice your psychological warfare techniques on us, Sarutobi-sama?" Akimi tilted her head. "You are very busy after all."

"Well, I actually caught up with a lot of old paperwork thanks to Naruto's advice." the old man answered. "So I thought to have a chat with you. I always enjoy your company! How is genin life treating you?"

Akimi and Naruto sat. It was not unusual for them to spend time with the Hokage. They often had ramen together and he came to dinner at the Katora residence one or two times a month. He was like a surrogate grandfather to both of them, especially for Naruto.

"Well, I think it's little early to say. Especially considering that today it was basically just Hatake-sensei's payback on us." Akimi answered. "But it seems good."

Hiruzen laughed jovially at this.

"And I was hoping in more challenging missions, really." Naruto exclaimed. "Those are chores, dattebayo!"

"Indeed they are." Sarutobi looked sharply at them. "Figured out why they exist then?"

"The money income." Akimi replied. "Besides, you can't send out fresh graduated genins just like that. The risk of death is too high."

Sarutobi nodded. "True. True. I sometimes forget you saw firsthand how harsh the world out there is. Anything else?"

"Well, if you look at them from the right angle they are useful to get used to how the other members of the squad work." Naruto observed. "So you can develop teamwork in a protected environment."

"They also teach you patience and mental endurance." Akimi continued. "Sometimes you may not like the mission, but you have to take it anyway."

"Very good answers." Hiruzen nodded at them. "Now I really feel like I can give you two these without feeling too bad. I should not show favoritism, you know."

He took out two scrolls. One was a lot thinner than the other. "Naruto, we don't have a lot of wind users in our ranks, but fortunately my son is one of them, so I asked him to write down some pointers for you. He will gladly meet with you and teach you some techniques when you get more advanced with nature transformation manipulation."

The blonde nodded in excitement.

"Akimi, I told you many times we lack seal experts. I have thought of giving you this a lot times before today, but I decided to wait. Now you are genin, though, so I think it's a good time. It's an old Fūinjutsu scroll from the Hokage's library. So I would like you to give it back when you finish studying it."

"Can I copy it down?"

Hiruzen nodded. "But leave it in your vault."

In that moment all three of them heard a noise from outside and turned in that direction. It sounded like someone was running down the corridor – someone who obviously had not mastered stealth. Then, the door shot opened and a little kid stormed into the room.

"Fight me, old geezer!" he screamed in a small voice. "The title of Godaime Hokage belongs to me: the great Konohamaru!"

Hiruzen looked a little resigned as he watched the boy advance towards him... until he suddenly tripped on his scarf and crashed head first on the ground.

Naruto and Akimi looked at each other a second, before turning back to assess the younger kid. He had short spiky hair and black eyes. He wore a yellow shirt with Konoha symbol in red on the back and had a blue scarf along his neck, which was probably as long as he was tall.

Sarutobi fixed his hat, sighing heavily, as Konohamaru lied helplessly on the ground and moaned in pain, holding his face with his hands.

"Is this a trap?" the kid exclaimed, looking around.

"Honourable grandson!" a voice called from outside, before an adult ninja clad in black entered the room as well. He wore a bandana around his head and his eyes were covered by sunglasses. He stopped on his tracks when he saw Naruto in the room and his stance stiffened.

Akimi noticed it immediately. 'So he is one of the prejudiced idiots of this village. Just my luck: I need to blow some frustration off...'

Konohamaru got back on his feet and pointed threateningly at Naruto, who was closest to him. "You did something, didn't you? That's how I tripped!"

Naruto looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You tripped on your own, kid." he spat. "Don't go around blaming others for your own stupidity."

Konohamaru looked taken aback at the bluntness of the statement and almost burst into tears.

"Ehi, have respect, brat!" the mysterious shinobi shouted. "He is the Honourable Grandson of the Sandaime Hokage-sama!"

Konohamaru smirked at Naruto, as if daring to say something else at him. He smugly crossed his arms against his chest.

"Well, he could be kami's son for all I care!" Naruto yelled, swatting the kid on his head. "I'm not going to sugar-coat him just because jiji is his grandfather! BRAT!"

Akimi raised an eyebrow. "Respect is earned. You, shinobi-san, are a helpless adulator."

"WHAT?" the nameless shinobi bellowed. "How dare you?"

"What are you gonna do?" Naruto replied. "Hit me?"

"Why, you brat..."

"Ebisu, that is enough." Hiruzen quietly intervened. "Nothing has happened. I don't think Naruto has hurt Konohamaru too badly..."

The man scoffed, but stopped his soon to be a rant.

"Sarutobi-sama, if this is all, we really need to go." Akimi politely said. "I've promised Naruto to treat him to ramen if he refrained from pranking Hatake-sensei back."

Hiruzen nodded, watching with a little smirk as the two new genins took their scrolls and walked out from the office. Konohamaru was looking at the door with shining eyes: it was awe and admiration.

Ebisu noticed this as well. "Honourable Konohamaru, you are the grandson of Sandaime-sama, you should not get involved with someone like them! No good can come out from it! You cannot." he started to lecture the boy, worried. "I, the elite tutor Ebisu, am never wrong. You want to become the Godaime, right? Well, then you need to listen to me. My teaching is the shortcut for achieving your dream. Do you understand, honorable grandson?"

Ebisu fixed his sunglasses, expecting to receive a positive answer from his student... only to discover Konohamaru had vanished. "What?" he asked, frantically searching around the room.

The Hokage smirked wider. "It looks like he went after Naruto and Akimi."

"What? This is an emergency: I must find him!" and the special tutor ran out of the room.

Sarutobi sighed. 'Ah, I wonder if I was wrong to hire him, sometimes.' he thought. 'Konohamaru didn't get any better with him... that was the twentieth "ambush" he attempted today.'

They realized they were being followed right away. Naruto looked a little annoyed, but Akimi was very amused and whispered to him not to do anything. The duo arrived at Ichiraku and sat down. Konohamaru, hidden behind a house on the other side of the road, kept glancing at them.

"Do you want to join us, Sarutobi-san?" exclaimed Akimi when Ayame served three fuming bowls of ramen on the counter. "We ordered a miso for you."

The kid jumped, startled. He was amazed the girl called him by surname – and that she wanted him to eat with them. But above all, the two older genins hadn't even turned once: how did they know he had followed them?

"Behind you." Akimi said.

Konohamaru turned, a little scared, and saw a small silver cat looking at him. The animal yawned, before tilting her head at him.

"That's my familiar, Kaera." Akimi explained. "She was trailing you while you were trailing us. Remember that in the ninja world prey and predator can easily exchange places, up until the very end. Always be on guard. Now, come, the ramen is getting cold."

The kid quickly ran to them.

"Is this all right or would you like another flavor?" Akimi gently asked. "After all Naruto-kun has finished his first bowl already so he can eat yours while we order another one for you..."

"It's all right." Konohamaru said. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because talking while eating is more pleasant." Akimi replied, eating a handful of her own vegetable bowl. "And I want to know why you followed us."

Naruto swallowed the last noodle of his first meal. "Ohi, old man, get to it already! I'm hungry."

Akimi smiled at the kid. "Don't mind him, his eating manners are awfully despicable. So, is something wrong?"

"I want you to teach me!" the kid shouted. "You two seem to be seriously cool. Not like sunglasses-sensei."

"We don't have time to waste, brat." Naruto shouted, with his mouth full – Ayame had given him another bowl – before gulping down to avoid suffocating. "We are busy!"

Akimi looked at her friend in contempt. "What did I tell you about eating with your mouth full?"

"Not to do it?" Naruto replied. "I also told you that this time I'll probably won't listen to you..."

She sighed. "Sarutobi-san, we just became genins. While we do have some time to spare, I'm sure that Ebisu-san is a lot better than us."

Konohamaru looked at his bowl. "He keeps going on about boring stuff..."

"The basics?" Akimi guessed.

"Yes." the kid pouted. "Why doesn't he teach me some cool jutsu or whatever?!"

Akimi raised an eyebrow. 'I wonder why I'm suddenly having a déjà vu...'

"I was like you too." Naruto suddenly said. He had just finished his third bowl. "I'm actually still like it, but don't tell anyone."

Akimi giggled. "They already know, believe me."

The blonde scoffed. "You want to be able to blow something up, or to breathe fire, or to unleash a wave of water on someone. Something big, something impressive. Do you not?" he asked. "Well, someone once said me that it's not the number of jutsu you know that matters, but how well you can use them. Basics are very boring, but are also very important."

"Who did?" Konohamaru asked. "Maybe he can teach me as well."

"She did." Naruto indicated Akimi with one of his sticks. "But you have got your own elite tutor to teach you, so stuff it."

Konohamaru looked a little put out. "But I..."

"Oh, come on, Naruto-kun, don't be so mean now!" Akimi exclaimed. "Sarutobi-san, what about if we agree to spend some time with you and teach you a little? But you have to promise you will also listen and work hard with Ebisu-san as well."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, it may be fun after all."

Konohamaru's eyes shined with delight. "Oh you two are the best, bosses!" he jumped down from his stroll in excitement. "When do we start?"

"Calm down." Akimi laughed. "Naruto-kun has to eat at least another dozen or so bowls before we can safely leave."

"Your house is so cool!" Konohamaru shouted, as they arrived on the private training grounds. "You live alone?"

"Yes." Naruto somberly answered. "But it could be worse. At least with got each other. And also Kakashi-sensei and jiji, I suppose."

"Jiji?"

"Your grandfather." Akimi answered. "Alongside with his manners, I'll be never be able to make him understand he should respect the Hokage, as he is our leader. What's your deal with Sandaime-sama, anyway? Why did you try to attack him?"

The small boy looked a little annoyed and saddened. "He was the one to give me the name Konohamaru, after the village. Although everyone should know it, they never call me that. It's always 'Honorable Grandson' here and 'The Sandaime Hokage's Grandson' there. I'm so sick of it. Nobody ever sees me as an individual." he explained. "That's why I want the title of Hokage now!"

"Why do we live in a village full of idiots?" Akimi muttered.

"Baka!" Naruto shouted instead. "Nobody is going to recognize as Hokage right now. You are only a kid! It's not a title you can claim easily."

"NANI?" Konohamaru protested.

"It's not easy. You keep saying 'Hokage, Hokage' but if you want that title so badly..." Naruto stopped.

Akimi shook her head. 'Oh, boy...'

"What?" asked Konohamaru in anticipation. "What?"

"You need to defeat me first!"

Konohamaru gaped.

"Right, right..." Akimi coughed to gather the two boys attention. "Let's not fight over something like this. Well, Konohamaru, I will call you by name if it makes you feel better. Now, what do you want us to teach you?"

Konohamaru shrugged. "Something cool."

"Mmm." she said. "Well, what about something that will help you with camouflage? You are somehow lacking in that arena."

"Ehi!" the boy protested. "I'm good with it, what's wrong with my disguises?"

"Err, I am not sure, but hiding in a fence that has vertical boards with a quilt that has horizontal ones is a little too obvious." Naruto said. "The essence of camouflage is observing. You need to notice each detail so to blend in as best as you can."

"Next time you walk in the village, look around, see what is around you. Wonder what places would be good to hide in and so on." Akimi continued.

"In the meantime, we'll teach you the most useful technique a ninja has to conceal themselves. Henge." Naruto crossed his fingers in the ram seal and "pop" he became a small rock. Konohamaru gaped in awe and when he turned, Akimi looked just like Naruto.

"When you use Henge to assume someone's appearance, it's very important you know them well enough to pull off a convincing impression, dattebayo!" and she ruffled her hair just like Naruto usually did. "Details are what make a Transformation believable."

Konohamaru nodded, just as the two genins returned to their normal selves.

"Now then, how good is your chakra control?"

Ebisu looked all around the village for Konohamaru. He had gone to every stand that sold ramen in Konoha, to no avail. 'Where on earth could they be?' he wondered. He was worried about what the Kyūbi's gaki could do, or teach to the honorable grandson. He walked with a defeated look along the main road of the village, when he met Iruka for pure chance. He remembered the chūnin knew the brat very well.

"Iruka-san, do you know where I could find the Uzumaki kid?"

Iruka smiled. "Have you tried to Ichiraku?"

The tokubetsu jōnin nodded. "He was not there."

"Well, then you should try at his home. It's big mansion in the East district. You know the one which was abandoned twelve years ago?"

Ebisu looked surprised. "I thought he was an orphan."

"He lives with Katora Akimi – those two are inseparable. She was the rookie of this year's graduates. They are on Kakashi's squad."

"Kakashi passed them?" Ebisu fixed his sunglasses, now also mildly impressed. "You are sure I can find him there?"

"Well, he could always be around... doing some mischief. But Akimi should know where he is then. If she isn't at her house you'll find her at the Library."

Ebisu nodded. "Thank you, Iruka-san." and he Sunshined again.

"Well done." Akimi nodded, as Konohamaru released the Henge that made him look as Naruto. "You still need to work on the voice a little, though."

"Damn it, you are a harsh teacher, Akimi-nee."

She smiled at him, ruffling his hair. "I know I am."

"Ohi" he protested.

"You are good kid, Konohamaru."

Akimi looked over at the waterfall, where Naruto was working on chakra control with his clones. "Get over here, 'to-kun. It's your turn to teach Konohamaru something." she lowered her voice. "'to-kun is better at taijutsu than me."

The kid jumped in excitement, just as Naruto reached them with a high jump, making an acrobatic flip midway. "So, what about we have a spar first, kid?" he asked. "I promise I'll go easy with ya, dattebayo."

Konohamaru immediately dropped in an offensive stance, charging towards him. He tripped and landed once again with his face first on the ground.

Naruto put his hands on his hips. "Right, you either shorten that scarf or learn how to run without tripping on it! You need to be mindful of your steps. Your feet and your legs: they are the key for your stability. And stability is very important in a fight."

"But I like this scarf like it is!"

"Then don't trip on it, now, show me how you punch someone and... 'mi-chan, what is it?"

"The perimeter seal just went off." she looked on the trees near the wall of the training grounds. "We have visitors."

"Who is it?" he asked, tensing.

"Ebisu-san."

"Honourable grandson!" shouted the black clad ninja, jumping down and running towards them. "What are you doing here? Come, only with my teaching you can..."

"Oh cut it off already!" Naruto shouted. "If you an elite teacher then we are as well as screwed! You are filling Konohamaru's head with crap! There is no shortcut to become Hokage. Only through hard work you can gain the skills and recognition needed to get that hat. So stop ranting about your own greatness and teach him something useful, dattebayo!"

Konohamaru looked at him in awe, while Ebisu stiffened. Naruto knew that expression well: contempt and coldness. 'He is one of them... one of those who think I am the fox' he looked at Akimi and she nodded. Naruto smirked. Time to teach that idiot a lesson then.

"Step back, Konohamaru." Naruto said. "I'll show you how you properly charge at someone."

The man laughed. "What are you doing, kid? I am one of Konoha's finest..."

"I think we need to zip Ebisu-san's mouth a little." Akimi observed, crossing her arms. "You don't mind if we face you two on one, do you? You are an elite, after all."

Before Ebisu could answer, Naruto charged at him at full speed, almost too quick to be seen. The man had to quickly blocked with his arms the sweeping kick Naruto aimed at his mid-section, but by then Akimi's had joined the fight, going for his uncovered legs. Ebisu pushed Naruto away and jumped back, just as Akimi launched a couple of shuriken at him.

The man easily dodged them, but had to further retreat as Naruto charged him after making four clones.

"Well, at least you seem to know what you are doing." Naruto observed. "Maybe you are worthy of teaching the kid, after all..."

"But you still need to work on your attitude." Akimi exclaimed. "Trespassing is a crime in Konoha. Next time I'll call ANBU. Activate."

Suddenly, a strong jolt of electricity passed through Ebisu's body. One Naruto rushed at him and knocked him out with the handle of a kunai.

"Now remember, Konohamaru." Akimi lectured, as two clones hurried to take the unconscious shinobi outside. "Never underestimate your enemy, it leads right to your own downfall."

"How did you do it?" the kid exclaimed, amazed.

"Akimi-chan is very paranoid. These grounds are filled with trap seals. That was a simple Jolting seal. It sends some sparks into one's nervous system, slowing them down if not completely paralyzing them for a few seconds." Naruto explained. "And few seconds are often more than enough."

"Can you teach me?"

"Fūinjutsu requires time, devotion and constant exercise." Akimi seriously said. "Maybe I'll show you something next time."

"Sugoi!" Konohamaru shouted. "I'm so telling how incredible you are to Moegi-chan and Udon-kun! They probably will want to meet you as well."

"Wait a second, you mean there is more of you brats?" Naruto exclaimed, his eyes widening in horror. He then decided to pull a Shikamaru. "What a drag."

November – December, 213

Team Kakashi kept doing D-rank missions in the next few months. Eventually, Naruto got really fed up with it, and only Akimi's intervention had stopped him from going on a rampage.

"We are learning patience and teamwork, remember? Now shut up and get moving. That hay isn't going to tie it's self up!"

The silver haired jōnin had created a somewhat harsh regimen of training for his three genins. He still arrived two hours late for everything. Akimi and Naruto worked with Shino during those times to help him with chakra control. The secretive bug boy was starting to warm up to the energetic duo.

After Kakashi arrived they spent an hour working on teamwork. They then proceeded to do one mission and then had training. Kakashi followed his student's example and used Kage Bunshin to work with each of them on taijutsu. The real one usually dealt with Naruto, because the boy hit the hardest of the three.

Friday, they did survival training. It was some sort of Battle Royal against Kakashi or against Naruto's clones. It was the blonde's favorite day, of course.

They had weekends free. Shino used them to study ninjutsu with his clan and Kakashi spent some hours with Akimi and Naruto in their compound's training grounds. Not all the time, of course. The jōnin said the kids ought to enjoy themselves as well.

Kakashi promised them than once they completed 30 D rank missions he would take them on 2 C ranks. Naruto complained, but as he had a goal he soon set to get onto it. However, Kakashi never let them do more than one or two missions per day. It was obvious he wanted to keep them in the village for as long as possible. Akimi thought he wanted to delay their first kill. 'Kind of too late for that...'

However, both her and Naruto had grown under Kakashi tutelage. The jōnin was laid back, yes, but he was very proficient in all the three ninja arts. He helped them especially in taijutsu, even though his area of expertise was obviously ninjutsu.

Kaera had told her that, in her opinion, Kakashi was not an earth type nor a water one. That meant he had another affinity and that he mastered two natures besides his. It was impressive.

Naruto and Akimi spent some of their free time playing "ninja" with the Konohamaru corps. The two young genins enjoyed their time with the three children, which served to make their life lighter.

December, 27th 213

Akimi was working on refining her Katon ability to burn earth and thus engraving seals. It was very difficult, because it required lots of control and chakra. Plus, an error would be fatal. It would be years before she could use it effectively in combat. Moreover, she needed to learn some Doton jutsu to use it better. Like hiding in the earth and creating seals.

Anyway, she had been working on a concrete slab of stone, in the room Naruto called her lab, when she felt her reserves where almost finished. She looked at the Shadow Clone that was doing the same exercise. "You can still keep going?"

"Aye, boss."

"Do so. When you run out of chakra, please meditate." Akimi nodded at the clone. "I think I'll go start dinner."

She headed towards the kitchen, but stopped with surprise when she saw Naruto sitting in the middle of the garden, deep in thought. He was not meditating, meaning that there was some problem. Naruto just didn't stay still. He was the most active person in the bloody village.

Concerned, she slowly reached him. "...'to-kun." she said, sitting near him. "What's up?"

"I'm thinking." Naruto said. "I had one clone going through my clan's scrolls. The history ones, since there are only Suiton and Kenjutsu scroll and the Fūinjutsu ones are too complicated."

Akimi nodded. "I bet it was kind of a bitter experience, uh?"

Naruto smiled sadly. "It's both comforting and depressing to know your roots, but also that you are the only one left."

"Maybe you should add 'reforming the clan' to your dream's list." Akimi said.

"Maybe." Naruto said. "I found out something that really bothered me. The last scroll was Kenshin's diary. It told of how he believed his sister, Kushina, was one of the last Uzumaki alive, because she went to Konoha to assist a certain 'Mito-sama', since she had a special chakra or something. He hoped that your family could contact her."

"Which we couldn't do because of our own problems..." Akimi rubbed her chin. "Do you think this Kushina is your mother?"

"My guts tell me so. The thing is..." Naruto stopped. "... if I took my Mum's surname, what about my father?"

Akimi stopped to think. "There are various scenarios. Sandaime-sama told you that they were both shinobi. Maybe he died before he could recognize you."

"He also said they both died fighting the bastard fox."

Akimi didn't dare nor particularly wanted to reprimand him for language. "Maybe they weren't married, so with him being dead you were simply given your mother's name."

"Or he didn't want me. That's why he let me become..."

"Naruto!" Akimi stopped him. "You are not a demon."

"Of course, of course. It's just... ah, I hate to be this pessimist, but I can't help it."

"Well, you can't possibly know, unless you are told, but I doubt the Sandaime will tell you anytime soon." She didn't use the honorific suffix showing her disdain for this particular decision of the old leader. "But you should not think the worst. As I said, there could be many explanations, 'to-kun. For example, maybe there were other Uzumaki's here, one of them could be your father."

"Yeah, well, how can we know, anyway?"

"One of your parents was an Uzumaki, this we know because of the blood seal." Akimi said. "And we know they died fighting the Kyūbi. I doubt Sandaime would lie to you about that. So there is a place where we can check."

"The memorial stone!" Naruto exclaimed. "Fancy a visit to it?"

"You bet, 'to-kun."

Beside the mysterious Mito Kenish had mentioned in his diary, there was only one Uzumaki on the stone. Kushina.

Naruto traced the letters, feeling his eyes water. "Kaa-san." he murmured.

Akimi stood behind him, a sad smile on her lips. It had been years since she visited her parents or her granddad's graves. There was a bittersweet sense of closure, like you were somewhere closer to them.

"I was five years old." Akimi said. "And at the time I couldn't really understand why my parents died. I only knew they weren't there and that I missed them."

Naruto didn't say anything.

"Gramps told me that the people who loved us never really leave us. They are all watching over us. I'm sure than Kushina-san is watching over you, as your dad does."

Naruto nodded. "It should make no difference. I mean, right, I know her name, but I still will never be able to meet her or..."

"You should know the importance of names, 'to-kun." Akimi got closer to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "They make everything feel more real."

"Do you think she is proud of me?"

Akimi smiled. "Of course she is. You are an amazing ninja and even a more amazing friend."

"Even though..."

"It's precisely because you carry such a burden, such a malign entity... and yet you are so... pure. You held no true malice in you, Naruto. That's what makes you amazing."

Naruto raised and hugged her. "You'll make me blush, 'mi-chan."

She laughed. "I only speak the truth. And soon everyone shall see it."

Naruto smiled once again. "That's enough serious and sad talking. Let us have some ramen, dattebayo!"

Akimi laughed harder. "Welcome back!"

"Last one who arrives has to pay!" Naruto exclaimed while running away.

"Oh, you damn baka!" and she went after him.

January, 24th 214

"Very well, Team 7." Hiruzen smiled at them from the desk of the Mission Hall, Iruka on his side. "Today you will have an important mission."

"What, what, dattebayo?"

Akimi glared at him from behind her book on Katon manipulation. 'Don't get your hopes up, baka!'

"Recovering the lost pet, Tora. It's the cat of the Daimyō's wife, Madame Shijimi. You can recognize her by the red ribbon on her left ear. Good luck." 'You'll need it'. Iruka said.

"Really, recovering a cat?" asked Naruto. "We are bloody ninja not..."

"Naruto!" Akimi exclaimed. "Don't bother Hokage-sama with your whining, let's go. There is a lost pet to save."

"Yeah, such a heroic act." complained Naruto, following the girl out.

Shino stayed silent. Kakashi smirked, reading his porn. 'So they finally have the chance to meet Tora... the terror of all the genins of Konohagakure no Sato since the founding of the village.' In fact, somehow a lost pet called Tora always needed to be recovered. It was a rite of passage for all the shinobi of the village, some Hokage included.

"So what is your plan?" asked Kakashi, as usual, while the walked down the main street.

"Sensei, is there a record time for this mission?" Akimi asked, quietly.

"Yeah. My own sensei, the Yondaime, who was one of the fastest shinobi ever, captured her in two hours. When I was a genin, I spent five four hours looking for Tora with my team. She is very devious."

"Really, now?" Akimi smirked.

"I'll send out my Kikaichū. They'll find her." Shino said, curtly.

"Oh, that will not be necessary, Shino." Akimi smirked more widely. "Kaera, go."

The silver tiger leaped away.

"Kids, we need to get going." Kakashi said. "Tora isn't going to pop out suddenly just because...

"Wait, sensei, just wait." Akimi said.

"Uh." Naruto grinned, nodding in understanding. "This is golden. Maybe we should use this as a way to boost our mission records."

"What do you mean?" asked Kakashi, wondering what the two were up to this time.

"Kaera is a tiger. A ninja tiger. Not only, but she is of high ranking within the tribe. As such she lords over smaller felines." Naruto explained. "She can actually ask normal cats for information and..."

"No freaking way." Kakashi exclaimed, seeing Kaera returning towards them, bigger than usual (she was the size of a medium dog) and followed by a strangely subdued Tora.

"Red ribbon, check." Akimi said, looking over at the fat, brown cat. She picked the animal up. "Mission find the lost pet, Tora: success. Another notch in our belt."

Kakashi gaped.

"Sixteen minutes and forty five seconds." Shino said. "Looks like a new record."

The silver haired jōnin wasn't the only one gaping when the team returned victorious to the Hokage.

"You are already here! How?" asked Iruka. "And why aren't you even scratched?"

"My clan," started Akimi, "has been allied with tigers for centuries. Cat are naturally scared of us."

Tora meowed, as if voicing a small protest, but didn't even attempt to free herself.

"Where is the fortunate owner of this lovely animal?" Akimi asked.

"Tora-chan! Oh, Tora-chan, I was so worried." The cat squealed a little in Akimi's grasp, but a small growl from Kaera quieted her. The girl smiled politely at the Fire Lady, giving her the pet.

"Thank you so much! I was so worried." the woman exclaimed, hugging the cat with all her strength. The poor cat looked like it was about to suffocate.

"Would you like another mission?" the Hokage said, smiling at them. "By the way, congratulation on the record. This is going on your file."

Akimi raised an eyebrow at him with a 'are you kidding me?' look.

"Anyway, you can choose between babysitting Yoyju-sama's grandson, going to grocery shopping in a neighboring village, helping dig up potatoes or..."

"Tora-chan, no!"

"... retrieving Tora again. Our most common and dreaded repeat."

"We'll do that." Akimi said. "Kaera."

The small tiger leaped, growling in happiness.

"She enjoys the chase. I should let her hunt more often, poor darling" Akimi smiled, shrugging at the two surprised men. They sweat dropped. "She'll be back in about five minutes. I put a tracking seal on the wayward pet. In the meantime we can choose our next mission. But first, Sandaime-sama, would you mind checking our records and tell us how many missions we've done?"

Kakashi eye smiled.

"Sure thing." Hiruzen smiled. "Ah, with this one is 30. Good job, it's an impressive milestone."

"31." Akimi said. "Kaera is going to catch that cat soon. Sensei, don't you have something to say?"

"Congratulation, my students." the jōnin said. "Hokage-sama, I would like to request a C-rank mission for my team."

"Are you crazy?" Iruka bellowed. "They are only rookies! They are not ready for such a mission yet!"

Akimi lowered her book. "Can we spar with him, sensei?" she innocently asked. Naruto was doing puppy eyes near her. He saw one of Shino's bugs fly in excitement.

"No." Kakashi said, scared for the safety of chūnin. He put a hand on her shoulder and another on Naruto's hair, both to show affection and to stop them if necessary. "This team is strong. Far stronger than a normal rookie one. They could probably have done C-rank missions right after graduation, but they maturely agreed to fulfill 30 D rank missions before doing so. They earned this. How many missions have Asuma's and Kurenai's brats done?" He felt a warm wave of chakra from Akimi, showing appreciation. It had been hard to break the girl's shell, but he was doing it.

"Team 8's done 11." Iruka tentatively said. "And team 10's done 14."

"I believe Kakashi is more than an able judge. Oh, look, Tora is here. Congratulation for your success, Team 7." Hiruzen smiled. "Now, I think I have just the right thing for you."

"What is it? What is it, dattebayo?" Naruto asked, jumping excitedly.

Hiruzen chuckled at his antics. "It's an escort mission. A very simple one, as an extra proof of your capability. Send him in."

"Who are we going to escort? A princess? A Daymō? A star actor?"

"Baka, we are genins." Akimi said. "It'll be a merchant or the sort."

Naruto pouted, but in that moment an elderly man entered. He was tall and wore a pointed hat of straw. He had a sleeveless black shirt with a towel around his shoulders and carried a bottle of booze and his cheeks were red.

"Ah, Tazuna-san, welcome." the Hokage smiled.

"What's this? Looks only like a bunch of brats, to me. They don't look like a threat to me. Look at the dumb expression of the blond one... is he really a ninja? And the girl? She doesn't even look 10 years old. She is so short!"

Akimi flared up her killing intent. "I'm petite!" she hissed.

"And you are only a stinking drunkard! Insult Akimi-chan again and I'll..." Naruto sent a wave of wind against the man, hitting his bottle. "... cut you to pieces."

"If I don't burn you down first." Akimi spat, smacking her lips as if she was sending a kiss. A small firefly of flames appeared from her lips, lighting up the alcohol.

"Calm down." Kakashi said, holding them back. "Killing our client is not a good idea." The jōnin knew if there was something Akimi hated was impoliteness (unless it was Naruto) and insults to her best friend. The fool had done both.

Iruka and Tazuna had eyes the size of tennis ball.

"Tazuna-san, these are very capable genins, I assure you. I've personally trained them. In fact, you are looking at the unpredictable one man army: Uzumaki Naruto" he indicated the blonde. "A living hive... silent but deadly: Aburame Shino." Shino bowed. "And one of the most brilliant kunoichi Konoha has seen in years, who is quite capable to set half the village on fire, if angered: Katora Akimi"

Naruto and Akimi beamed at his praise, forgetting their annoyance.

"And I am myself one of the top ranking jōnin of the village, Hatake Kakashi. So what do you require of us, Tazuna-san?"

"I'm the great bridge builder Tazuna! I expect you to protect me with your life once we go back to my country, Nami no Kuni, until I complete the bridge."

'With our life?' Akimi thought. 'Now, that's strange for a C-rank mission. And why is he drunk at this time of the day?'

Kakashi nodded. "Very well, then. Team, meet me at the main gate in two hours. Prepare for a two week trip and say your goodbyes. Go!"

CHAPTER'S NOTES:

About mission records: so if you look at the official Naruto's stats – that I got from Narutopedia by the way – it appears than none of the rookies have completed more than 20 D rank missions. So, I asked myself: how could it be? They are ninja, they can move quicker and enhance themselves with chakra and yet they can't do more than those relatively ridiculous chores? I mean, when Kabuto shows his cards at the Chūnin Exam, Rock Lee got 20 D-rank and 11 C rank. That is good and well, but it means that in one year (more than one year actually) Team Guy only had time to do 20 chore like mission? Or did they actually fail them? I mean, come on! Especially because other characters, i.e. Kakashi and the rest of the jōnin and tokubetsu jōnin have hundreds of D missions filled into their records! So I decided to boost Team 7's record (well, Team Guy as well).

Second, Kage Bunshin for paperwork. Well, this a cliché I know... but it makes sense, does it? Sometime I think that Naruto's characters lack logic. The only strange thing about it, is that the Sandaime was known to use Kage Bunshin a lot in his prime and yet he never thought about using it to deal with paperwork? Come on, the man's nickname is the Professor! Despite this I thought that Naruto telling him "the big secret" was a little hilarious so...

As for the Tora thing... I simply thought it was funny. Well, every story needs some humor. Hope I got it right.

That's all for now.