Katon: Gyuki no Jutstu: Jutsu

"Naruto!": Bijuu talk

'Naruto!': Bijuu thoughts

'Naruto!': character thoughts

"Naruto!": Regular speech

[determination: firmness of purpose; resoluteness. 2. the process of establishing something exactly by calculation or research.]

The following day in Konoha had been quite sluggish for the majority of the civilian market in Konoha. Due to the raging party yesterday there had been a slight slow down in pace due to all the fatigue. Of course the shinobi side of the village had shown no sign of being affected. Speaking of shinobi, one could find Tsunade at the entrance of the Yamanaka clan compound . It was a rather large one, not quite as huge as the Hyuga or the now deceased Uchiha but it was relevant to size. The Senju princess was now ready to start her therapy. To deal with whatever shrink her sensei had offered as the answer.

"Welcome Tsunade-sama, Inoichi-san is expecting you at the main house. Would you mind if I escort you?" A male clan member with honey blonde hair attributed with a jagged face had welcomed the Sannin. Tsunade nodded gently as she followed the chunin into the compound. The aesthetics of the Yamanaka clan weren't formal like the Hyuga but more of a familial comforting type. The patches of grass outlining the dirt road were certainly well taken care of.

"You know this is my first time entering your compound in over 20 years. I must say your quarters are quite as beautiful as ever." Tsunade praised the compound as she greeted each clansman that crossed her path with a wave; They bowed to her as she passed by.

"Why thank you Senju-sama." The male Yamanaka must have been proud to get a compliment from a sannin if the smug grin hadn't given it away. Coming to an abrupt stop they had reached the main house. There stood Inoichi, the clean head, proudly awaiting the legend.

"Welcome Tsunade-sama please come inside." Inoichi was the head of Konohagakure's Intelligence Division. Inside of a person's mind was no strange place for this man; dealing with trauma should be a breeze for the Yamanaka clan head. After entering the humble abode of the Yamanaka's they had come to a stop in their kitchen, greeting Inoichi's wife Nobuko, as she was boiling a kettle full of water. When they took a seat she placed down steaming hot cups of tea for both of them.

"When Hokage-sama informed me of your fear of blood I was quite surprised. The irony of it all must be very inconvenient for you." Inoichi had let out a chuckle at the end of his sentence.

"I'm glad my hindrance brings you amusement Inoichi-san" Tsunade calmly lifted her beverage as she blew on it.

"My apologies Tsunade-sama... If you don't mind I would like to offer a bargain with you." The last Senju narrowed her eyes at the word bargaining, it only meant bad news when it came from the mouth of a ninja.

"And what is this trade that you offer?" Tsunade's refreshment had almost spilt as she boldly pointed at Inoichi.

"We cure your trauma and in exchange you train my daughter." Empty laughs echoed throughout the kitchen.

"What makes you think I'll accept these terms Inoichi-san? Last time I checked, fixing my trauma is a direct order from the Hokage. Also I really don't have time for favoritism."

"Favoritism? You're really viewing this from the wrong angle Tsunade-sama. Think of it as not favoritism but you helping the village by producing a fine kunoichi. Maybe a future legend perhaps..if Jiraiya-sama did it once then why can't you?"

"You're going to need more leverage than that Yamanaka-san.."

"I see… you know my clan's flower shop has been gaining mass popularity recently. I believe the reason why might peak your interest." Tsunade raised her eyebrow as Inoichi got up to retrieve a purple bottle from his pantry. "You see recently our botanists have taken an interest in fermenting. One would say we actually mastered the craft." Inoichi poured the clear liquid into a cup, filling it halfway. The man then slid the glass of alcohol across the table. "Try it out for yourself, your opinion is certainly appreciated." The slug princess had only taken a sip but the bitterness had hit her like a swift hook. This brew was wickedly amazing! And the Sannin only took a sip but she had already felt intoxicated if only a little.

'This is the best alcohol I've ever had in my life…' Inoichi sat down with the bottle dawning a gentle smile. Knowing he's got Konoha's legendary sucker in his grip.

"Accepting my proposal might be in your favor. You see our recent batch contains a lot of extra bottles, a mistake, I recon will be repeated frequently in the future." Tsunade had not been surprised at the turn of events. After all this is what Yamanaka's do, they adhere to your wants and needs so naturally. Never underestimate their social skills that's for sure. With her hands tied Tsunade had no choice but to give into her alcoholic tendencies.

"You have yourself a deal Inoichi!" Tsuande caught the bottle that he had flung at her.

"Oh and Tsunade-sama about your therapy sessions..Ino will be in charge." Tsunade's eyes widened as she stared at the Jounin.

"You can't be serious. You can't just leave such an important task like this to an academy student!"

"It would be best if you don't underestimate our clan Senju-sama. A sensei learning from her student. Quite poetic don't you think?" After finishing his explanation he nodded towards his wife. Without a word Nobuki went to retrieve their child by yelling her name upstairs. Small footsteps could be heard from pounding against stairs growing louder by the second. "Also I advise you not to drink during your sessions, it might hinder your progress." Inoichi gave one last piece of advice before he scooped up his daughter. Being in charge of the intelligence sector makes Iniochi a busy ninja. Someone who doesn't have all the free time for his family. So it never takes much for Ino to enjoy her dad's presence. After twirling his daughter around one last time the man gently set her down.

"Ino-chan today is the day we finally begin training you in our family techniques. Are you ready?" Ino nodded frantically as she listened to her Father. Now that he finally trusts her enough for the clan's secret technique she wouldn't disappoint him.

"Hai Tou-chan."

"You will heal Tsunade-sama trauma. She has hemophobia and she must overcome it." Ino then finally took notice of the Sannin casually sitting in her kitchen. Her jaw dropped as one of the famous Sannin stood in her house.

"H-hello Tsunade-sama!" The alcoholic hero blood ran cold. But she still managed to keep with the charades.

"Well if you excuse me.." Inoichi left the house silently. Vanishing into the air like a snuffed out candle fire. A pregnant silence fell upon the two for better of three minutes.

'He has got to be kidding! I will not tolerate this disrespect bestowed upon me. Inoichi you're in serious trouble!' Tsunades's calm demeanor held strengths beyond legends as she stared daggers at the academy student.

'OH MY GOD WHAT IS A SAN-breathe no this can't be real!' Ino legs felt weak as she gazed upon the Senju legend. The little girl could barely catch her breath! Fortunately for her, she finally found her cool.

"Tsunade-sama it is a plea-" "Your father isn't coming-" The duo stopped talking as they both cut each other off. Tsunade hesitated before letting Ino go first.

"So you're really Tsunade Senju!" Tsunade smiled.

"The one and only." Tsunade said cockily as she leaned back into her. Ino looked awed as she placed her thumb on her chin, striking a thinking pose.

"Wow...ugh I have a question, Lord Senju."

"Mah, Mah, just call me Tsunade Ino-chan. Go ahead, shoot." Tsunade shot a finger gun gesture with her left hand at Ino.

"What made you finally return back to Konoha?" Ino pulled out the chair who her father was previously occupying and sat on it. Resting her chin upon the back of her hand as she stared whimsically at the senior. Tsunade cupped her chin with her pointer finger and thumb striking her thinking pose.

"I guess my will of fire was never extinguished." Stars formed in Ino's eyes as she gawked in awe.

"Were you by yourself? I heard that you had to be taken down by a whole squad of jounin!"

Tsunade gasped "I would never take down a fellow leaf soldier."

Tsunade contemplated, wondering if the information she was about to share was classified. Oh well, she was a sannin! Whatever repercussions that came her way she could surely deal with them. "You know Ino it was actually one of your classmates that escorted me back here." Ino reacted comically as she almost fell out of her chair. Sputtering out demands...requests, for their identity.

Tsunade leaned back into her chair and she cupped her. "I believe his name is Naruto Uzumaki."

"EH! Naruto? No way. He's known for being the 'dead last!'"

"Underestimating that brat is a common mistake Ino-chan, don't follow the crowd." Ino had no words as she absorbed the information from Tsunade.

'Don't follow the crowd?' Before Ino could get side tracked about Naruto, the task her father assigned her came back full force into her up straight, Ino puffed out her cheeks and asked in the most professional tone the girl could muster.

"So do you freeze up at the mention of blood?" A deadpan expression overcame Tsunade as the senior decided to indulge Ino by letting her play therapists.

000

Shizune was currently walking to the missions boards ready to be assigned her first official mission now that she's officially back in the ninja ranks. Instead of just only wearing her usual kimono she now rocked an opened chunin flak jacket over it. She was being trailed by Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara. The trio was perched behind a water tower adjacent to the building across from her.

"So she is Kakashi-san's new girlfriend?" Gaara asked innocently, observing their interaction intently. Naruto snickered as he dispelled a clone further down that was trailing Shizune.

"Yep ever since I told her about Kakashi on the mission she has been interested ever since… come on she just entered the building. Lets move to the windows in the back.

Entering the building, Shizune spotted Hatake Kakashi reading his iconic orange book 'Icha-Icha Paradise' as he was standing in a line of Jonin.

'I guess it won't hurt if I introduced myself..' Shizune casually approached Kakashi. "The Copycat ninja himself. Kakashi Hatake nice to properly meet you."

"Ahh you're Tsunade's apprentice, Shizune correct? I hope you're accommodating to the leaf well."

"Oh the village is just like how I remembered when I left. You know your brother Naruto was talking very highly of you on my retrieval mission." Kakashi quickly senses Naruto's chakra at the mention of his name.

"How flattering, now excuse me I have some students that need a lesson taught." Shizune sighed disappointingly as the gray haired man walked off the other way.

000

"Naruto, this has to be the dumbest plan you have ever made yet." Sasuke shifted in his crouching position as he used his sharingan to read the adults lips.

"Oh be quiet I know you're just as interested as me. You're already an accomplice so it's too late to back out now." The grin on Naruto's face was the size of a dinner plate.

"So what's our next move?" The new voice addition startled the trio causing them to slowly turn their heads to the end of the branch. There sat Kakashi reading Icha-Icha Paradise casually. The trio blanched before they quickly pulled their escape maneuver

"Damn it Sasuke! You were supposed to be on the lookout, quick Gaara!" After releasing their henges Naruto and his posse scattered in different directions. A wave of sand blocked the jounin from seeing which directions they went. Kakashi looked on upon their escape with amusement

'Even though I confiscated Naruto's smoke bombs he still found a way to limit my sight.' Yes this is the initiative thinking they would need to survive in the ninja world. 'They're also improving on their stealth, this time it only took me 10 seconds for me to notice them..'

000

In the academy we see Sasuke in a heated spar with the third Hokage. Hiruzen shifted back as he leaned away from a swift kick performed by the Uchiha. Capitalizing the Uchiha's imbalance for a split second the old man's foot launched into Sasuke's stomach only to reveal that he hit a clone. A round of surprised gasp came from the audience. Hiruzen shot a glance at Naruto as he sidestepped a jab from Sasuke, twisting his body in the process.

"Gah!" Sasuke's yelp of pain echoed throughout the classroom, most of his fellow classmates cringed at the impact. Hiruzen had finished the spar with a well placed axe kick on the back of Sasuke's neck.

"I think he knows that was your clone." Gaara itched closer to Naruto as he whispered his comment.

"He is the Hokage, Gaara. It would be a shame if he had not." Naruto leaned back against the wall. The current room they were in was completely vacant of furniture; except for the huge tatami mat on the floor. All of the students were up against the wall as they spectated the sparring match. Hokage-sama graced their class with a visit today. The man then ended up deciding to test rookie of the year.

Sasuke approached the duo limping slightly as he held his neck. The last Uchiha decided to take a seat right next to them. Refusing to release any grunts of pain.

"You over extended your last jab. That left you wide open." Gaara told Sasuke as he settled down. A humble 'Hn' was his response. The sand child had sort of developed a sort of running gag with the Uchiha to vocalize his mistakes. Gaara claims that it will strengthen his patience. Naruto claims that it's his best attempt at humor.

"The almighty sharingan strikes again." Naruto rounded off his snide remark with jazz hands. Before Sasuke could even retaliate his trusty fan girls were there to the rescue. The group of girls were led by Sakura Haruno, number one Sasuke fanatic.

"Shut up Naruto-Baka you wish you could fight like Sasuke!" Sakura got into Naruto's face as she jammed her pointer finger into his googles.

"He would be lucky if he even lasted a second with Hokage-sama!" One of the girls in the group added her two scents. Naruto chose to step away from the group, keeping in character had become drastically difficult as more days went by.

"Girls please settle down. I'm sure whatever Naruto said held no animosity." Hiruzen's grandfatherly tone extinguished the tension instantly. Easily catching the attention of the whole class. "Sasuke, your performance was terrific, I expect more from you in the future" Sasuke nodded his head not bothering to validate the Kage's praise. Naruto leaned into his fellow jinchuriki and whispered.

"Gaara guess what?" Gaara raised his eyebrow to show curiosity.

"I finally managed to enhance the storage seal!" Naruto pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and quickly scribbled down kanji, creating a seal matrix. "Instead of it now just sealing objects with a pulse of chakra the function is now continuous with a stream of chakra. In other words you can now just seal all of your sand and not walk around with a huge container in the future." Gaara's eyes widened at the news, even though he refuses to use his sand on fellow classmates. It would be useful for future battles and training with Kakashi.

"Wouldn't the chakra intake for this be too much?" Gaara asked as he took the seal from Naruto. Although Gaara was a jinchuriki the usual chakra cost for a storage seal would hardly affect him. But having that same cost stacked up for a prolonged time would definentaly leave him exhausted within two minutes tops. Well that's of course without tapping into his biju reserves.

"I modified that also! A genin could even use this seal for a while and not get exhausted." Naruto's new project sounded promising to Gaara.

In the distance one Yamanaka Ino was observing Naruto fuss about his seals curiously. The scoop from Tsunade on her fellow classmate had really given her cold feet. She had been completely avoiding the class pariah, observing him from the background to see if the Sannin's rumors were true. Shockingly Ino was sure that Naruto had caught her a few times, but he had never confronted her for some reason. lno then brings her attention to the Hyuga heiress seating a row directly behind Naruto, staring longingly at her fellow blonde. Ino shuttered, no way in hell was she going to follow in Hinata's footsteps. Swallowing her angst, the girl turned on her natural Yamanaka charm as she approached Naruto.

"Hey Naruto." The blonde jinchuriki turned around in a flash as a huge smile adorned his features.

"Hey Ino wassup?" Ino cringed as Naruto practically yelled at her with his greeting. But the girl furrowed her eyebrows as she noticed something off.

'He was just using his inside voice to talk to Gaara but now he's yelling?' Maybe she was over exaggerating his actions and looking too much into nothing. But how could somebody continue with such inconsistency and ignore such obvious social cues when it's evident that he has friends to practice said social cues with. Ino's gossip tendencies would surely not let her give up on the enigma that is Naruto Uzumaki, no not by a long shot.

"Uh I noticed that you miss class a lot...why?" Naruto scratched his head as he looked to the ceiling as if the answer was on the roof.

"Eh.. the academy is boring. Plus I'm going to be Hokage one day so this is a waste of time." Ino deadpanned as she placed her fists upon her hips.

"You know you have to pass the academy to even become a ninja, right?"

"Yeah so what?" Ino decided to back off for now. She could tell that continuing on this conversation would only bring her a headache. Interaction with Naruto for such a long time might also ocstratize her from her peers. As she was walking away Naruto had let out a few words that caught her attention.

"You walk with a lot of purpose Yamanaka-San, maybe you should learn how to sneak silently if you're training to become a kunoichi." Oh that settles it, yeah she wasn't done with Naruto...not by a long shot.

000

Three and a half years later: early morning.

Today was the day of graduation where the gang would finally begin their journey on becoming Shinobi and Kunoichi. On this bright morning Hiruzen had gathered a few select elite jounin for a meeting. Said topic was discussion for the future of the latest generation.

"First I would like to thank all of you for gathering here today. Now let's sort these graduates into teams shall we?" The aged kage took a drag from his pipe as he shuffled through the academy student reports.

"I'm sure you will appropriately choose a capable jounin to cater the next Ino-Shika-Cho generation well Hokage-sama." Shikaku added in his two cents as he leaned against the wall.

"You should hold no worries Shukaku-san as I entrust them into my very own son, Asuma." Asuma raised his eyebrow, surprised by the news.

"We haven't discussed this Hokage-sama." The irritation in Asuma's voice was clear as day.

"Oh what's wrong Asuma-kun, is babysitting three gennin too much of a task?" Asuma retrieved a pack of cigarettes from his front pockets on his vest as he cast aside his dissatisfaction. Refusing to step down from his Father's challenge

"Of Course not."

"Enough with your family quarrel Sarutobi, Hokage-sama we must move onto more pressing matters. My daughter needs a capable jounin to mold her into a fine clan head." Hiashi Hyuga, current clan head of the Hyuga clan, had voiced his wants.

"Hate to agree with white eyes here but, I too am concerned for my son's future. After Gishi's death that boy has been...driven." Tsume also added in her comments. Her pack of dogs standing ready right next to her. After taking a glance at Kiba's and Hinata's graduation reports Hiruzen placed the papers down.

"I have decided to assign jounin Kurenai Yūhi to lead team 9 consisting of Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame." Hiashi had voiced no objections, due to having already met Kurenai. Tsume on the other hand was sceptical on the choice.

"The newly promoted jounin Hokage-sama? Surely you must be mistaken!" To Kurenai's credit the woman had not flinched at the targeted growls from the clan head's ninken.

"In due time, you will soon understand how to place your trust in the Hokage's decision, Tsume-san." The dog lady's back tensed as if she'd been slapped, slightly embarrassed from her unprofessional input. "In all honesty after reviewing all of these evaluation receipts I must say..this generation contains the largest quantity of promising students than any other previous class in decades. Even a civilian this year holds promise." Selecting a single file from the stack Hiruzen held it up to read.

"The only genin that graduated from a civilian family this year, Sakura knowledge, competent ninjutsu, yes with talent like that she's surely to survive in this shinobi world. In all honesty I'd say they would even surpass our current senior gennin." Hushed whispers and murmurs once again spread the crowd of Jonin.

Team ten is easily the strongest genin team Konoha has at her disposal. For Hiruzen to make that bold claim spoke levels about his faith for the next generation.

"So who will this civilian girl be placed under lord third?" Anko inquired as she kept cleaning her kunai with a dull white rag. Hiruzen took a long drag of his pipe.

"Well of course…"

000

"Man, I hope Kakashi doesn't fail us like he did his other five previouse teams." A sigh escaped Naruto's lips as he continued to read "Intermediate Level of Fuinjutsu", a book Jiraiya had lent to him on his 12th birthday. Today was orientation and their final day of school was about to start. Right now Sasuke, Gaara and I were all sharing a desk, waiting for Iruka to reveal the teams. Right now said chunin had just entered the room shifting through papers.

"You really think those Genin had a chance on the field? Not even one could notice when academy students were spectating their bell tests" Sasuke criticized in his usual bored tone.

"In their defense Sasuke we are really good at our (now official) job." Sasuke shot Gaara an aloof eye roll as he continued to stare forward. Before Naruto could add in his two cents he was interrupted by his sweetheart.

"Naruto-kun! I see the deadlast got some new threads." Ino Yamanaka, top Kunoichi of the year approached the group confidently. Ever since she became Tsunade's apprentice she soared through the ranks. The only other female student to best her was Sakura, who got first place in studies. Instead of the bright orange jumpsuit Naruto used to wear everywhere, he now dawned a very dark burnt orange long sleeved jonin shirt. A light blue Uzumaki swirl was printed on the back right above vertical kanji saying 'nine'. His right sleeve was torn and singed. Naruto had wrappings spread over his entire right arm, with kanji printed on each bicep. For his pants he had black anbu joggers accompanied by a metal chain attached to the pockets and black sandals. A hitai-ate the same color of his shirt was used as a bandana to cover his red hair. His left eye was still scared.

"I see you also got a new look Ino-chan." Ino now wore a gray mesh shirt and over it a purple-colored kimono with short sleeves and white-lining around the collars which she secured with a white sash. Black skin tight shorts were her undergarments. She also wore white arm warmers and white wrapping over her calves, which had two seals printed on her left, with black hair was loose as it reached down past her neck. Around her neck was a tied hitai-ate

Ino then turned her attention to Gaara. "Gaara-kun you also upgraded! Wow your whole group really wanted to show off today huh?" Sasuke rolled his eyes as he turned away from the blonde

Sasuke now wore a blood red short sleeve shirt with a high collar, the Uchiha crest stitched on the both of his wrists he had wrappings with seals on them. A black hitai-ate wrapped snugly on his right arm. Completing his outfit he wore black anbu pants with open toed sandals (shippuden sandals). For his belt buckle he had a tanto attached to the back of his waist horizontally.

Gaara still rocking a face mask had his gray hair cut short with a messy top. He had a gray mess shirt under a brown zip up jacket with a sash that had two seals marked on it; tied around his waist. A pair of black pants with wrappings around his ankles completed by black sandals.

"Are you ready for your genin team Yamanaka-san?" Gaara asked as he calmly crumpled a leaf to dust he was holding.

"Ahh I already know who my teammates are, I don't think Hokage-sama would discontinue the Ino-Shika-Cho trio this year."

"ALRIGHT CLASS SETTLE DOWN" Iruka's yell silenced the classroom as everybody got into their seat. Ino left and went up a level to sit with Choji and Shikamaru.

"Okay first I would like to start off by saying that I am proud of every genin that I see here. As of today you will start your shinobi career out on the field." Iruka then gave a long speech that none of us really paid attention to except Sakura. Naruto looked up from his book as he noticed Iruka started to name out the teams.

"Team ten contains Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi. Your sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi." There was no audience feedback.

"Team nine is in circulation. Team eight will consist of Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame. Your Jonin sensei Kurenai Yūhi.

"Now team seven will hold Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake." After Iruka finished assigning off teams he turned his attention to Gaara.

"Gaara Hatake you have special instructions to head to the Hokage's office." Murmurs started to spur throughout the classroom. "Alright time for lunch, all genin must return here in ten minutes. Dismissed" Iruka then left the classroom. Not soon after Gaara arised from his seat.

"Well off to see what Hokage-sama has planned for me. See ya guys." Sasuke gave a nod as Naruto gave Gaara a high five. With nothing else to say Gaara used sand shunshin to leave. Nearby students stepped back as they magically saw Gaara turn into a wisp of sand. Naruto turned his attention to the door as he noticed Kakashi arrive with three other jounin.

"He's early? Huh, I wonder what's the occasion?" A small chuckle came out of Sasuke, as even he was amused. Sakura came up and swooned over Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun aren't you glad we're on the same team? It's almost like its fate don't you agree?" Sasuke totally ignored the pinkett as he stared back at Kakashi. Kakashi let out a cough to grab her attention before he ordered all three of them to follow him. They set at a heavy jog to training ground seven. Kakashi assumed Sakura couldn't hop from rooftop to rooftop if her lack of endurance didn't hinted that.

'Note to self teach her chakra control asap.' Kakashi thought to himself right before he and his team arrived. The ever slowly sway of grass in the field brought upon a calming waited for Sakura to catch her breath as she was wheezing on the floor.

'It's obvious that she was on a diet. What a project I have here.' Kakashi grimly thought, Sakura finally stood up as she caught her breath. "Okay since I know two of you already, I will get to know Sakura personally later. For now you need to be tested for graduation. So here is the simple task, you have to take these two bells." Kakashi held up two silver bells attached to red string. He then tied them to his waist. "Before time runs out on the clock I had set when I started this speech." Sakura looked to the side and saw another Kakashi place a timer on a log set for noon. Then he bursted into smoke!

"Alright...begin!" Sasuke quickly jumped next to Naruto as he started to debrief his plan.

"You keep Kakashi busy, I will debrief Sakura of the plan." Sasuke ordered as he jumped off to find the girl. Naruto nodded as he stood his ground ready to take on his sensei. Kakashi stashed away his book in the pocket of his flak jacket.

Taking Naruto lightly is kind of dangerous after all. Getting into his stance Kakashi rushes his student with no mercy. Naruto summoned six clones, sending them in front of him. Kakashi sent a sharp kick into the first clones head, poofing it.

He was then assaulted by a golden chain. Jumping to the side a clone was there waiting for him, kunai clone then made a swipe at the bells. Regaining his balance quickly Kakashi axed kicked the clone's wrist, successfully shattering it.

Using the cloud of smoke to his advantage Sasuke shot out from the smoke, tanto poised to biceps the jounin. Kunai met blade as sparks flew between the exchange of blows. Sasuke's sharingan ablazed as he met Kakashi parry for parry, thrust for thrust, and swipe for swipe.

The young Uchiha had kept the jounin at bay. Or so it had seemed before Kakashi flashed stepped behind the gennin immobilizing him into a grip. A Naruto clone tried to sneak a punch but was kicked in the face before he could do anything.

Shuriken Kage Bushin no Jutsu! Sakura who was still hidden in the trees had been shocked.

'That's Naruto's jutsu? How is that even possible!' From her perspective she saw the red head turn five shuriken into an army of metal death. The sheer amount of metal stars was enough to block out the sun. Meanwhile Kakashi casually observed the incoming rain of death with indifference. Lifting Sasuke into the air Kakashi used him as a body shield. With his only free hand left, Sasuke formed a one handed ram sign, exploding into a flutter of leaves.

'Of course genjutsu..' Kakashi mostly likely only had one second until the shuriken came raining down upon him, with seasoned reflexes he squatted down and started a jutsu sequence.

Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu! The jounin went underground at the last second avoiding the mass of metal. Sasuke and Naruto regrouped with Sakura on her branch.

"We've about nine seconds before he reamurges." Naruto exclaimed as his eyes were tracking their sensei underground. Sasuke nodded as he turned towards Sakura.

"When you see a chance you will go into hiding. Once we catch Kakashi off guard you will throw a kunai at the bells. Got it?" Sakura gave an acute nod as she pulled out kunai from her pouch.

Naruto nudged Sasuke as he threw a kunai at the ground. Understanding the message, the last Uchiha had leaped off from the branch. Sasuke spewed out an inferno on the marked spot.

Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!

Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu!

Kakashi shot out of the ground, retaliating with a water bullet fueled by the nearby lake. Kakashi's water release easily trumped Sasuke's jutsu, extinguishing the fireball in an instant once they made contact. As a result mist flooded the forest. Sakura took advantage of the ongoing chaos by jumping into the cloud of mist to hide her movement.

Sasuke was utterly blind in this situation; his sharingan couldn't see chakra due to the water vapor. The veteran jounin practically vanished into his surroundings as he made a b-line dash to Sasuke. The last Uchiha tensed his body, ready for the inevitable taijutsu match from his senior. Saving his teammate from a losing beat down; Naruto leaped vertically into the air throwing explosive kunai in front of Sasuke, detonating the tags. The tags were specially augmented by the Uzumaki. The gennin managed to amp their explosive power to the max. Approximately twenty five percent more. In conjunction the blond used his chains to yank Sasuke out of the blast radius.

*Boom*

The five explosion seals transformed the terrain into rubble. As the smoke cleared it revealed a tall rock wall falling apart. A kneeling Hatake using the slab of rock for cover. Shortly after three kunai were flung to his feet forcing him to jump backwards. Only at the last second had he sensed an incoming projectile from behind him. Twisting his body in mid air the kunai narrowly missed him. Instead the knife managed to cut the bells loose from his hips. Turning around the Scarecrow man found Sakura halfway submerged in the lake, arms outstretched as a cocky smirk adorned her face.

'Not only was she hidden in the lake Sasuke must have also casted a genjutsu over her to hide her presence...impressive.' Kakashi stood calm as he witnessed Naruto retrieve the bells from off the ground. The jinchuriki gingerly passed one to Sasuke, and a drenched Sakura who climbed out the lake.

"Well sensei? Do we pass?" Sakura questioned with wide eyes as she proudly showed Kakashi her bell.

"Congratulations my cute little gennin, as of today your now full fledged ninja. Now if you excuse me I have urgent matters to attend to. Meet here at eight in the morning tomorrow. Ja ne." With all said and done Kakashi fled the training field in a swirl of leaves.

'I guess I'll celebrate with him at home..' Naruto turned his attention to his two now official teammates. He sweatdropped as he saw Sakura haggling Sasuke for a date, the latter wasn't even paying attention to her.

"Ne Sakura, that's a good idea, we should get something to eat, I know I'm starving!" Sakura turned her attention to the redhead, conflicted on her opinions about him. Before they graduated Naruto was just a loudmouth deadlast who couldn't even complete simple jutsu. But now the redhead was calm, level headed, and abusing kinjutsu left and right! One thing she was still certain of is that her Sasuke-kun was still better than him...right?

"I don't want to go on a date with you baka!" Naruto raised an eyebrow in confusion as he ignored Sakura's insult.

"No, I meant we should eat out as a team. Come on Sasuke, I heard Teuchi has a new tomato soup dish." Naruto brushed past Sakura as he slung his arm over the Uchiha. Persuading him as the duo walked back towards Konoha. Sakura looked at the pair in awe, it seemed as if the two were best friends? 'They never interacted like that in the academy..what's going on?' Taking a pause Naruto looked over his shoulder.

"Sakura are you coming?" Naruto gave her a warm smile as Sasuke still barely acknowledged her. With a stutter in her step Sakura quickly joined the group. Finally team seven made their way to Ichiraku ramen.

000

Gaara Hatake was making his way to the Hokage office. The jinchuriki was curious about his fate, as he was the only graduate in his class that was instructed to go to the office. What awaited Gaara was Hiruzen sagely smoking out of his pipe as he completed paperwork. A plethora of items littered his desk, the old man took notice of Gaara and greeted him with his usual grandfatherly smile.

"Gaara-kun it has been a while, first let me congratulate you on your graduation." Gaara took a knee as he graciously accepted Hiruzen's praise.

"Thank you Hokage-sama." Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe one last time before he got down to business.

"Now I'm sure you're curious as to why I summoned you. You see with the addition of you there was an uneven amount of graduates this year. Instead of forcing you into a four man cell I present you another option. Remember this is only possible due to your condition."

"I have control over Shukaku now Hokage-same, I can handle teammates." Hiruzen waved Gaara off in a friendly manner dismissing the genin's worries. Leaning forward he looked Gaara in the eye.

"Do you want to be hidden in the Shadows or become a true genin?" Finally taking notice of the items on the table, Gaara saw a tanuki anbu mask and a leaf headband laying side by side on the desk.

"What will happen if I stay a genin?"

"I'll probably sign you into a mentorship,but Gaara-kun your skills are unique on their own. You have the potential to survive in the anbu." Gaara slowly approached the desk and took the tanuki anbu mask. The jinchuriki placed it upon his face as he took a knee in front of the Hokage.

"Rise operative Tanuki, I have a debut mission for you right now. It seems that chunin Mizuki has become a traitor. Hunt him down and retrieve the scroll of seals." Gaara nodded with another word, the newly promoted anbu officer vanished from the office. Shortly after Hiruzen's door flew open as Danzō entered the office. The sound of cane echoed throughout the room as he humbly sat down.

"So which path has the Ichibi decided upon Hiruzen?"

"It seems he has chosen the path of shadows… I can only hope I won't regret this decision later."

"You're getting too soft Hiruzen. This option was the most viable, not only will the Anbu keep his identity hidden for longer but his status as jinchuriki will let him soar through the ranks." Hiruzen couldn't argue with the facts that Danzo provided. The old man could only watch as Gaara's story was unveiled.

'But had I made the right choice?'

000

Sakura had been lagging behind her two teammates as she followed them through the streets of Konoha. The girl's mind was currently a mess because of the current situation she was in. On one hand she finally got the chance to eat with Sasuke. But Naruto's presence had become an enigma and nuisance in one for Sakura. Her opinions on the blonde hadn't changed yet but Haruno definitely noticed in his demeanor, attitude, and even vocabulary had turned one eighty! Sasuke shoved Naruto away with little strength, the blonde was laughing hysterically but if Sakura wasn't so observant she would have missed Sasuke's subtle smile.

'Since when has Sasuke and Naruto been this close?' For the life of her Sakura could not remember the two interacting with each other in such a friendly matter back at the academy. Finally team seven arrived at Ichiraku's. The aroma of ramen broth had assaulted her nose before she even had a chance to enter. It was the first time that Sakura had ever visited this establishment, and if the rumors are true about Naruto's ramen addiction then this certainly won't be the last. A teenage girl with brown long hair holding a note pad came to greet us.

"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun it seems you two brought a new friend this time!" Her joyous tone had been quite affectiouse causing Naruto to greet her with his own smile.

'Sasuke-kun? Who even is this hussy...no matter , no way could a ramen girl could even stand a chance with Sasuke-kun.' A dark cloud started to form over Sakura as she stared daggers at Ayame.

"You bet Ayame-chan! You're now looking at an official ninja." Naruto smiled brightly as the bowl was served right in front of him."Itadakimasu!" Naruto yelled before he dug into his bowl. Tomato soup was shortly passed to Sasuke right after.

"What would you like sis?" The brown haired girl asked her with such a bright smile. Sakura then felt bad about her previous judgement.

"Shrimp ramen please." Sakura ordered with her own smile.

"So Sakura do you mind if we help you become a better kunoichi? Me and Sasuke could really use a strong third teammate you know!" Naruto nudged Sasuke as he finished talking. The Uchiha hunk then turned his attention to me.

"Yeah I might actually like you more if you become useful." Hearts bursted out of my eyes.

"Of course I'll let you help me Sasuke-kun!"

"Great then me and teme-over here, will you pick you at eight in the morning. You better be prepared because we don't train lightly." Sakura practically ignored the redhead's warning. The trio then continued to share a meal together before they bid each other goodbye. Well until Sakura bid Naruto and Sasuke goodbye. Naruto returning her gesture and Sasuke once again flat out ignoring her.

000

"The scroll of forbidden seals...you'd think that a scroll with so many kinjutsu would be so heavily guarded." Mizuki surged more chakra to the bottom of his feet as he raced through the forestry of Konoha as if his life depended on it. Which it did. A nasty grin spread across his face as his grip on the scroll tightened.

'And once I hand this over to Orochimaru-sama I'll be granted power far beyond my imagination.' Shuriken whizzed past by my head as I halted in my tracks. There standing adjacent on the branch behind me was Iruka Umino, my old friend.

"Mizuki what are you doing! You know this is treason to the highest of order!" Is he seriously trying to lecture me? Damn I was hoping to leave with no dead bodies, but plans never go perfectly. Fastening the forbidden scroll on my back, I crouched down, unsheathing my katana.

"Iruka you know you can't defeat me. It's a real shame now, that I have to kill you." Pumping chakra through my legs, I dashed quickly to impale Iruka in the chest. Instead of my blade searing through flesh and bone...it met grains of sand?

'Impossible! Iruka doesn't have a doton affinity…' Then a giant wall of sand flanked me to my le- it went dark after that.

000

Hiruzen Sarutobi was impressed. Gaara on his first A-rank mission has managed to completed it under thirty minutes. There laying before him was an unconscious Mizuki. The traitor had a nasty bruise forming on his chin. Hiruzen then turned his attention back into Iruka's oral report.

"And then before Mizuki impaled me with his sword. Agent Tanuki-san managed to distract the traitor with a wall of sand on his left side. Before sneaking into his blind spot on his right, socking him in the chin."

"You went for the chin?" Kakashi, who was also summoned by Hiruzen, added into the conversation. He then proceeded to feel around Mizuki's jaw.

"His jaw is still intact but there is a lot of swelling. Perfect, just like how I taught you." Kakashi gave Gaara an eye smile as he took Mizuki to Anko.

Iruka was standing tall off to the side..the chunin kept stealing glances at the rather short anbu officer. Of Course Gaara noticed but had not confronted him about it. "Thank you for saving my life Anbu-san."

"No problem Iruka-sensei." Iruka raised an eyebrow at the use of the suffix.

"Neko!" Hirzuen called for a soldier and not a second later a female anbu operative with a cat-like mask and long purple hair appeared next to Hiruzen.

"Hai Hokage-sama." Neko saluted before standing straight.

"Escort operative Tanuki to headquarters. From now on he is now a member of your team, so please take him under your wing and teach him the basics." With a nod Neko approached Gaara and placed a hand on his shoulder. Silently the duo left in a leaf shushin.

"That Anbu operative is rather short, don't you think Hokage-sama?" The Hokage chuckled at Iruka's curiosity.

"Yes he is Umino-san but I have no doubt that won't affect his job." Now that both of them were alone the chunin had started asking many questions. Most of the answers he was seeking were confidential information. Hiruzen had no choice but to send the chunin home. Taking one last drag from his tobacco pipe the old man looked over his view of his village.

'The seeds of the next generation have been planted. Only time will reveal how successful they'll grow.'

I read every review and I appreciate them a lot. I know I did not go into any ont he gennins personalities but I'll save that for chunin exams. The real story has just begun after all.