The Demon Shinobi of Konoha

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Teams

The sound of two pairs of feet lightly patted the ground as they walked along the path through the forest. To most people it would seem a little strange to watch two shinobi walk down the road so calmly. But if you happened to leave near an area under protection of a hidden village then it wasn't at all strange to see shinobi on their way to and from missions.

One was dressed in the standard clothing that one knew was standard of the Konoha's Jōnin rank, the only stand out thing about him being his lopsided hair and the head band across his left eye. The strange thing was the small unconscious man draped over his shoulder left should and in his right hand a small orange book in front of his face.

Next to him walked a figure draped with a beige cloak that covered his entire body. His height was much shorter than the older man walking next him, only reaching up to his chest level. The only part of him showing was the red and white fox mask that shown clearly to anyone observing. His posture was bored as you could see his slumped shoulders and his feet dragging as he walked along.

"So when do I get to carry him?" The cloaked Anbu whined as he walked alongside the famous copy ninja.

"You don't. Remember what happened last time you carried a prisoner?" The cycloptic ninja replied in a bored tone.

"Hey! That wasn't my fault! The bastard bit me when he woke up." The Anbu yelled defensively at the Jōnin.

"You put him in the hospital for two weeks before he was well enough to even see Ibiki." Kakashi drawled out as his one eye looked over at the Anbu besides him. "Plus Hokage-sama said you are not allowed."

"What!? When did he tell you that?" The Anbu yelled at the copy ninja. The copy ninja paid no mind to the complaining and just kept walking down the road. "Are you listening to me?!"

"The gate is in sight." Was the only response that he was greeted with and immediately any thought of retort vanished.

Kakashi sighed as he shifted the weight of the chubby little man on his shoulder to gain some more comfort and to observe his friend better. He could see the rigidness in his steps as he walked along side Kakashi and noticed the stiffness of his shoulders and back. "Relax Naruto. No reason to get so worked up about walking into the village."

"Say's the person not hated by nearly the entire population." Naruto quickly retorted. Though his posture did visibly relax somewhat. "I can barely get through the gates without receiving a hateful glare-"

He paused as they noticed a few merchants from the village exit the gate along the road. An older man sent a glare of hate directly at him. At the same time some of the others looked at him fearfully. When they had finally passed by Naruto threw his hands into the air in frustration.

"I can't even get into the gates without receiving a glare!" Meanwhile Kakashi just looked a little sheepish as the two walked through the gates.

OoOoOoOoO

"I understand you're reasoning Hiashi, but that does not mean I agree with it." The elderly Hokage let out a long sigh as he reached into his desk for some more tobacco for his pipe. With careful precision he pulled out the proper amount for himself. "Not only that, but I am not sure he is ready to lead a team of Genin, much less a group his own age."

"You can't deny that he has the ability to lead a squad. He has already led a number of missions during his time with the Anbu." Hiashi countered quickly as he watches man across from him take the time to light his pipe.

"Anbu, Hiashi, he led Anbu." He took a moment to breath in a long drag from the pipe and release. "They are already well trained and know about the chain of command and obeying your superiors. These are children were talking about it, respect will not come so easily, and it could cause trouble."

"If he is placed with a team that would cause conflict." Hiashi responded quickly. "You know that there are a number of students in this year's graduating class that would suit to a new Jōnin sensei quite easily." Hiashi responded before taking a sip of the tea that Hiruzen's secretary had provided for him before the meeting. "My daughter for example."

Sarutobi arched an eyebrow slightly at the Hyūga leader. "I have already had a number of requests from the other clan leaders on this same subject Hiashi. You wouldn't happen to have had a hand in that too, would you?" A small smirk appeared on the corner of Hiashi's lips as he took another sip of the tea in front of him.

"It would hardly be fair of me to place your daughter on a team led by him; when I have already received so many requests from other influential members of our village for his services." If Hiashi wanted to play dirty; then so would he. "I am not one for favoritism, even if it is for Naruto." Hiashi was silent for a few moments, telling Hiruzen that he had won a small victory there. It was only to be short lived however as he could tell Hiashi had formed another counter argument.

"Perhaps we can do something for him that hasn't been done in a while?" Hiashi knew he had his attention at the raised eyebrow from the Hokage. "Why don't we allow Naruto to pick the teams? He could pick the team he would feel best to lead and it could even prove to be a useful training tool for when he will have to pick teams in the future when he takes over. If you disagree with any of his choices, you could of course make your own changes."

"Hmm…it would be interesting to see how he arranges the teams." The Hokage had to admit as he scratched his chin. "And it would give me more time to catch up on all the paperwork I am behind on. But I am still not sure this is a good idea."

"Many of those that have helped me train Minato's son simply feel the same way Hokage-sama." His tea finished he placed the small cup on the desk in front of him as he poured himself some more. "Is it really so bad an idea to have him teach a team? Surely keeping him in the Anbu for a number of years will start to affect his mental state."

"If I had it my way Hiashi he would be living a normal life and in this graduating class. " The Hokage said pointedly before his face relaxed, you could see how hard of a toll being Hokage was taking on the elderly man in front of him. Not for the first time both occupants in the room found themselves wishing that Minato was still here. "Fine. I'll agree to let him have a team of Genin, but if things don't go well then he will lose his team Hiashi."

Hiashi rose from his chair and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Hokage-sama, I would like to give the news to him personally and explain to him his duties, if that is alright of course." At the Sarutobi's nod Hiashi smiled slightly and turned around to leave.

"There will be many rules he will have to obey Hiashi, such as his identity. Tell him to come by in the morning and I will have the files needed for him along with the restrictions he will be given." Hiashi once again turned around and nodded before his superior before walking to the door. He didn't make it halfway before yelling could be heard outside.

"You can't go in there! Hokage-sama is in a meeting!"

Suddenly the doors in front of Hiashi flew apart as they were kicked open with force and there stood the subject of their very debate with a sheepish looking Kakashi standing right behind him holding a tiny little man over his shoulder.

"Mission accomplished Oji-san! When can-n-n….aw crap." Naruto's shoulders slumped as he saw Hiashi standing in the room staring at him. His head looked down towards the ground as he muttered out. "How many do I have to do…"

"Five katas for ignoring the secretary, five for interrupting a meeting, five for kicking in the door and another five for not showing the proper respect. All on top of your normal training of course." Hiashi couldn't help but smirk slightly as he saw Naruto groan. "You will come for training directly after you're debriefed."

"Hai Hiashi-sensei." Naruto muttered rather unenthusiastically as Hiashi walked past him and out the doors. Naruto sent a small glare at the chuckling Hokage before sitting in the chair across from him with a flop. Kakashi handed off the prisoner to the Anbu assigned at the door to take him to interrogation.

"So, tell me about your mission Naruto-kun." Sarutobi spoke softly as he leaned back in his chair prepared to hear the likely short debriefing from the hyper young man.

OoOoOoOoO

"Man how was I supposed to know Hiashi-sensei would be there…" Naruto muttered as he walked out of the Hokage tower. Next to him Kakashi walked with his Icha Icha book in hand, simply nodding at Naruto's mumbling. "I mean it's gonna take me all night to finish those! I won't even have a chance to go and get any Ichiraku before they close up! It should be a crime to keep someone from Ichiraku!"

As the two reached the gate they immediately leapt up towards the nearest building and off towards the Hyūga manor. "I don't believe that everyone holds the same philosophy towards ramen that you hold Naruto." Naruto only leapt onward and threw his arms up into the air. "Well they should!"

Kakashi chucked next to him as he stared to veer away. "Have fun training." Kakashi smiled as he leapt away. "Pay my respects for me at the memorial Kakashi-sempai!" Naruto shouted before they were too far apart and received a wave in response as Kakashi leapt off.

Naruto happy mood seemed to dissipate with Kakashi's departure and was instead replaced with a rather solemn mood as he made his way across the village. Different thoughts racing through his head as he neared the Hyūga district. Would he maybe get a team this year? Or would he have to wait yet again? What kind of team would he get? All these different things running through his head as he landed softly in front of a tree at the edge of the Hyūga district.

"Man has responsibility, not power" He spoke quickly and quietly with his palm on the center of the tree and his eyes closed. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up and the feeling of being dipped in ice water run up his body before it vanished all at once and he opened his eyes.

"Man I hate that…" His eyes adjusted quickly to the little light the narrow tunnel ahead of him provided. Small lanterns lined the narrow path ahead of him, casting a soft orange glow down the generations old tunnel. Naruto had long ago mapped out that the path took him directly under the many different homes inside the Hyūga district, even going as far as to pass directly under guard barracks, before it slowly started to incline as it neared the center of district.

As he reached the end of the incline, he was greeted by a sliding shoji door with the soft glow of candles illuminating the paper in the framing. Carefully he opened the door and stepped inside; shutting the door behind him it seemed to disappear into the wall.

The inside of Hiashi's study never ceased at impressing Naruto with its traditional elegance. Elegant calligraphy and different pieces of art lined the walls, along with the artwork stitched into the shoji doors themselves along the walls. The sitting table was stained a deep mahogany that Naruto could easily see his reflection on. Hiashi himself sat on one of the carefully designed pillows at his desk as he looked over several scrolls.

"How many times must I tell you not to enter this place with that mask on?" He looked up from his work and sternly stared at Naruto. "When you are here you are my student and my friend, I will not have you cover up who you are."

Naruto chuckled a little as he removed the mask covering his face. "If that's true then why am I not allowed to walk around the rest of the compound with it off?" Beneath the mask the tan face with three whisker marks on each cheek that Hiashi knew well. Bright blue eyes, the same eyes his father had possessed, stared back into his light lavender ones. His bright golden locks fell covering his forehead, just another thing he had in common with his father.

The one thing Hiashi knew was different about the son of his former friend was the shape of his face though, Minato's had been more slender while Naruto's was slightly rounder, a trait Naruto took from his mother. Though Hiashi could imagine that Naruto's face would have been even rounder had he not implemented a strict diet after seeing Naruto's habit of eating ramen was far greater than even Kushina's had been.

At first Naruto had been completely against the diet, until Hiashi had said two magic words. Grow Taller. Immediately after that Naruto had agreed to change his diet from ramen and other junk foods to a healthy balance. He was allowed to have one bowl of ramen a day during the week and two on the weekends to compensate for agreeing to change his diet however. A few months later and the changes were obviously taking effect as Naruto had grown at a faster rate of the past three months then he had before, and his overall health had greatly improved. Hiashi had assumed he would be at least several inches shorter had the diet not changed so many years ago.

"Because your identity and you're training here is to be considered a secret, as such you are only allowed to have you mask off while in my study or my private dojo. But while you're in those places and in my presence alone, you will have that mask off."

Naruto rolled his eyes as he walked over to sit down in front of Hiashi. "Yeah yeah, I've heard you say that same thing a hundred times." He muttered out as he flopped down on one of the pillows at the table.

"I give the same answer to the same question. It is you that looks foolish when I have to repeat the same answer to the same question one hundred times." Hiashi said as he rolled up the scrolls in front of them and placed them to the side. "We have something important to talk about Naruto."

Naruto immediately raised his hands in defense. "Hey if this is about me kicking in the door-"

"I convinced Hokage-sama to allow you to get a genin team this year." The reaction was immediate as Naruto jaw nearly hit the ground in surprise and his eyes went as wide as saucers. "NO WAY! Really!? I get my own team to lead! Yes! Yes! Yes!" Naruto yelled out as he jumped about in celebration.

Hiashi was shaking his head slightly as he looked at Naruto. "What have I taught you about self-control Naruto? You're lucky this room has seals on it prevent people from listening in on us or half the clan would be wondering who was inside of my study."

Naruto just collapsed into a sitting position in the middle of the floor. "I know. I know, but I was just so excited! Who do I get to teach!?"

"Well actually that is something we need to talk about." Hiashi motioned for Naruto to move closer to him and take his seat at the pillow again. "Hokage-sama is going to allow you to pick the teams this year."

Naruto's face took on a slightly puzzled but excited expression at the news. "But isn't that his job? I thought that was one of the duties he had to fulfill as Hokage? To balance out the team strengths."

"Normally yes, but I argued that this would be a good training exercise for you. After all you will need to pick the teams out fairly yourself once you become the Hokage in the future. In addition, you will need to pick out a fair and balanced team that will be able to accept you as their sensei."

"So no Uchiha's?" Naruto questioned with a smirk. To that Hiashi grinned some and shook his head to say no. "Damn, I would have loved to mess with him. Though Kakashi-sempai will probably be assigned to teach him, seeing as he has a Sharingan."

"Uchiha Sasuke is also the current top student this year, if that persists then Kakashi will receive the student with the highest scores and the student with the lowest according to tradition." Hiashi noted. "Hokage-sama has all the information that you will need to start organizing the teams, he would like you to report to him first thing tomorrow morning to pick up everything you will need and to give you your rules regarding your team."

"Rules?" Naruto's head cocked to side in thought. "Like keeping them safe and teamwork and stuff? I know all of that."

"More likely it has to do with not revealing your identity until we know this is going to work out." Naruto was about to protest, but Hiashi quickly beat him to it by raising his hand. "We are still not sure that you are ready yet Naruto. Hokage-sama is only giving you this team under the condition that if you don't meet his satisfaction that he can give it to another sensei."

"But that's not fair! I have been leading Anbu teams for the past two years now! No one else has that kind of stipulation and pressure to deal with!" Naruto fumed, outrage clearly written across his face towards Hiashi's neutral one.

"No other sensei are the same age as their students either; commonly it's at least three to five years above the age group depending on the person up for sensei. Even your father was in that range before he took on a team." It was a dirty tactic, but Hiashi knew mentioning Minato would be the best way to get through to Naruto. He knew it had worked when Naruto crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked off to the side with a sour look on his face.

"It's not like I don't understand it's unusual. I just want to do it." Naruto muttered out.

"And I believe you. It is your next step-"

"No, it's not just that…" Naruto spoke quickly interrupting Hiashi. Embarrassed he ducked his head down some and wouldn't make eye contract. "I-I…I really just want the chance to interact with them too…to make friends with my students."

A soft look overcame Hiashi's face and he let out a sad sigh as he looked at the young man in front of him. The boy was so full of life and energy that he was only allowed to express through training and his time with clan heads. No friends his own age, just older people he knew in Anbu, and no play time for just him. He had been training to be the best since the day he was born, training to surpass the strength of those before him. He was eternally thankful that the lessons on his parents had kept his spirit up and his heart still kind.

"You have lived a life I know your father would have hated Naruto." Naruto head shot up in shock and he looked wide eyed Hiashi. "I often wonder if he will ever forgive me for what I have done to you. He would have wanted you to grow up with him training you, watching you play in the park with our children, and celebrating with you after graduating from the academy in a few days. Instead I have robbed you of your child hood, instead making you into a weapon for Konoha."

Naruto had never seen so much emotion on Hiashi's face or so much pain in his voice. He smiled gently at Hiashi. "I know you did what you thought would save my life and I know my father would forgive you for just that reason."

The two just sat there for a moment lost in their own thoughts about how different things could have been. It wasn't for a few minutes until Naruto remembered something. "Oh I almost forgot." Naruto announced loudly with a smile as he reached into his pack and presented a scroll to Hiashi.

Hiashi's eyebrows furrowed at the scroll being handed over to him. "What is this?"

"It's one of the Raikage's personal jutsu scroll!"

Hiashi nearly fumbled the object in his hands before gripping tightly with both hands as he looked at Naruto wide eyed. "How did you get your hands on this? And why give it to me?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile as he looked at Hiashi. "Well… I sort of had to take care of these two brothers that were missing nin from cloud. Turns out they stole the Raikage's scroll and they just happened to be guarding the guy I was on the mission for."

"So why give it to me?" Hiashi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, me and the old man thought that it would be too risky to keep it in the Hokage tower since if some spy managed to find it there and word got back to cloud it could cause one hell of a ruckus. So, I thought that maybe you would be able to take care of it…that and with cloud and your brother and all I thought it might make you feel a little better…" Naruto trailed off somewhat at the end not exactly sure how to get what he was saying across to Hiashi.

Hiashi simply smirked slightly in understanding as he looked at the treasured scroll in his hands. "I understand Naruto. Thank you very much." As he said this he stood up and walked towards one of the calligraphy paintings on the wall. Naruto couldn't see what happened since Hiashi's back was too him, but next thing he knew there was a flash of light and when Hiashi turned around the scroll was gone.

"Now I think you should get to those kata; if you don't want to be too tired for your team building plans tomorrow." Hiashi had to smile at Naruto's groan as the young man walked into the dojo linked to his study.

OoOoOoOoO

She felt her body hit the wall of the building she had just been walking next to roughly as a few young boys ran through the streets, not caring if they bumped into someone. She felt several sting on her arm from where earlier training bruises along her body protested the rough treatment they had just suffered. For her part all Hinata did was look at the retreating forms down the street as she grasped her arm slightly through her jacket before continuing her way towards the academy.

She was tired and sore all over her body. Ever since a few years ago when she had entered the academy the clan council had decided that her training regimen needed to be stepped up. Elder Hisao had been assigned as her teacher during these sessions at home. He had not been lenient with her at all, often she walked away from her sparring sessions bruised, battered, and barely feeling as if she had learned anything at all.

'Is this how the daughter of Hyūga Hiashi should act!'

The elder's words always stayed with her longer than her bruises would. His training was harsh, but his demeaning words had always struck her harder than his blows. She told herself over and over that he was berating her to make her want to try harder and learn more, but lately she was starting to feel that she would never be able to get it.

The sudden ringing of a bell in front of her startled her out of her thoughts as she realized she had made it to the academy and one of the early bells had gone off. Hurriedly she made her way through the doors as other students rushed in with her. It didn't take her long to reach the classroom and see that she was one of the first few to get into the classroom.

"Good morning Hinata-chan."

Hinata smiled and bowed quickly to the Chūnin standing at the desk in front of the classroom. "Good morning Iruka-sensei."

Iruka grinned as he looked at the child in front of him and scratched the back of his head looking slightly sheepish. "How many times have I told you that I don't need you to bow to me like that? I'd hoped you would have grown out of doing that to me as we came to know each other over the years."

Hinata blushed slightly in embarrassment in front of the teacher. "G-gomen Iruka-sensei…"

"Now none of that Hinata." Iruka spoke as he placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. "You do what you're comfortable with, ok?" At the girls nod the teacher smiled at her before lightly pushing her in the direction of the desks. "Now go find your seat before everyone piles in at the last moment."

She briskly climbed her way to the back row of the classroom and sat down at her desk in the corner away from everyone. The only other students in the room being the quiet Aburame heir that sat further down the row from her and the brooding Uchiha a few rows down from her. It was only quiet for a few more minutes though as the final bell for classes rang and students began pouring into the classroom and claiming their seats.

She mildly watched the small argument that broke out between two gears she had come to know as Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanka about who got to sit next to their crush Sasuke. It might have looked more entertaining to her had she not seen the same act every morning for several years now. No, now it was just a normal thing to the class every morning that ended with neither of them sitting next to the boy.

"Now, as you all know, tomorrow will be the day you students take the exam to become Genin's. That being the case, we decided that today would be a good day to review several skills to help prepare you for tomorrow's examination. First we will start with a review of in class material and then after lunch we will do some practice outside." Iruka spoke out before starting a lecture on chakra.

Hinata felt the hair on her the back of her neck stand up and she tensed a little as she thought she felt a presence behind her for a moment before it was gone. Glancing behind her quickly she let out a relieved breath as she confirmed that no one was there and turned her head back to pay attention to the lesson.

OoOoOoOoO

Naruto had to admit he was lucky today was not windy at all, or he would probably be chasing all the papers spread out around him right now. He sat alone on the rooftop of the school with all the files that the old man had given him spread out around him as he observed the students during their lunch break and made notes on their files. All the while he kept a large note pad out directly in front of him writing down the different ideas of his.

If he really wanted this to work, he would have to make a team that would suit him and be able to get along with him, but not take anything away from the other squads. The old man had been very specific about him not telling his team his last name or revealing his face to them. It was obvious that the old Hokage was quite nervous about doing this at all.

"If that's the case, then I will just have to make the best damn team ever. "

"Oh, that won't be an easy task you know." The voice of Kakashi spoke up behind Naruto causing him to jump slightly. "You were quite engrossed in your work for me to be able to sneak up on you like that."

Naruto glared slightly at the man before turning back to his work. "What do you mean?"

"Oh well to be the best damn team ever won't they have to be better than the legendary three?" Kakashi stated as he glanced to the side to gauge Naruto's reaction to the question.

"Hell yeah! My team will defiantly be good enough to become the next Legendary Three." Naruto announced with his fist raised into the air. Kakashi could only chuckle as he peered at the papers and students stories below.

"So, which am I getting? And who interests you?" Kakashi as he pulled out his Icha Icha to read as he listened to Naruto's analysis. He could hear Naruto jump up excitedly as he gathered up some of the papers and stood up next to Kakashi to get a better view.

"Well since the council would pitch a fit if I didn't, you are getting the Uchiha for starters." Naruto said as he pointed to said boy eating his lunch alone with a group of girls sitting a few feet away eyeing him. "Whole last two sharingan users left in Konoha and all, but overall from what I have observed today the only thing higher than his grades would be the stick shoved up his ass. Good luck with Sasuke's attitude, especially since he's probably getting one of his fan girls on his team."

"Are you trying to make my job difficult Naruto?" Kakashi asked with an annoyed sigh. "If they fail, I'm going to have to put up with a long chat with the council."

Naruto laugh out loud at that. "Yeah I really can't wait to listen to that one." Kakashi sent a look at Naruto that made Naruto somber slightly, but still chuckling. "Not my fault if the Uchiha is arrogant."

"He's not his father you know."

Naruto let out a long sigh at the comment because of course Kakshi was right. Sasuke didn't deserve to be judged before for the action of his now deceased family, but Naruto had a hard time accepting that he may not have been alive if not for the intervention of Hiashi he could have died.

When Naruto was eight, he questioned Hiashi and the other clan heads on how he had been put into the situation he was in. Each one had explained the council meeting to him from their own perspective. It had been an eye-opening experience for the young, sheltered, blonde to learn about the fear and hatred that was directed at him. One of the things that stuck with him the most however was how the Uchiha were the only major shinobi family to push for his death.

"Anyway who's the girl you are going to stick me with?" Following Naruto's pointing finger Kakashi's eyes landed on the girl with pink hair. "Pinkie?"

"Possibly. Haruno Sakura, probably his biggest fan girl and the highest rating kunoichi brain wise, not physically however. Don't know what's up with the pink hair though." Naruto said trailing off at the end. "Though really it's still a tossup between her and Ino Yamanka."

"You are thinking of breaking up the Ino Shika Cho team? Their fathers won't be happy about that."

"Just because the father worked really well together, doesn't necessarily mean the children will. I saw firsthand today just how annoying Shikamaru considers Ino to be." Naruto spoke remembering the nearly twenty different times Shikamaru called her troublesome before lunchtime. Kakashi just scratched his chin and nodded in understanding after hearing the reasoning.

"So, who is the final one since Sasuke if top of the class?"

"Umm well it's that kid over there." Naruto nodded his head in the direction of a boy as he shuffled through the papers in his hand looking for the boy's file. "Suzuki Hitoshi." Naruto didn't notice Kakashi's eyebrows crease in thought at the mention of the name. "According to this he skipped ahead a year at the academy, but it might have been too early since he has the lowest grades in the class. I would guess if stuck with his original class he could have graduated at the top in a year."

The boy, Kakashi could see, was the only one spending his lunch hour reading over the textbooks for the class. Hitoshi was tall for his age, matching the height of many of his seniors in the class, but not the tallest by any means. His shaggy hair was a light brown color sitting and his eyes from what Kakashi could tell were a light hazel. His skin was a light tan, probably from training in the sun and from what Kakashi's eye could tell his muscle's looked well-toned. 'He's been training.'

"Looks like he works hard." Kakashi commented.

"You could say that. I noticed earlier when I was in the classroom scoping them out that his hands are really calloused. He either does a lot of construction work with tools, or he trains with a weapon."

Suddenly Kakashi's eye widened in recognition as he realized who the child was. "Ah so that's where I knew his name from."

"What?"

Kakashi sighed sadly as he though back to the memory. "His father was Suzuki Hideki. He was an Anbu captain like us. Died about three years ago, before you joined the Anbu."

"What happened to him?" Naruto's interest caught by Kakashi's comment.

"He went on an assassination mission to kill a big-time weapons dealer; we aren't sure exactly what happened after that. A hunter went looking for him and found his body in a field full of craters. After he retrieved his body, they found out snake venom killed him."

Naruto's eyes narrowed immediately as he knew the answer. "Orochimaru?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah, looks like Orochimaru was visiting the weapon dealer. After Hideki finished his job, he was caught on the way back to Konoha. He was a master user of the bo staff; he might have been passing his skill on to Hitoshi during his off time with his son. Might be why his hands are calloused and why he is trying too hard to skip ahead and graduate."

"He wants to find out what happened to his dad and get revenge huh?" Kakashi nodded at Naruto's question.

They stood in silence for a while longer before Kakashi coughed into his hand to break it. "So who do you plan to have for your team?"

A large grin spread across Naruto face as he stuffed the folder into his cloak. "You're gonna have to wait till tomorrow night like everyone else." Naruto spoke happily before he vanished in a plume of smoke and leaves, leaving Kakashi blinking in surprise.

OoOoOoOoO

"So are you worried about tomorrow Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru yawned loudly as he glanced at Chōji from his laid-back position on the ground. His friend sitting against the tree Shikamaru was using for shade as he lay down on the soft grass. He could see Chōji pulling out a bag of some of flavor chips; Shikamaru didn't particularly care which kind and began munching on them quickly.

"Nah. Why worry about something so troublesome? "

"Well it could determine our entire future." Chōji spoke as he bit into a particularly crunchy chip.

"We are going to pass tomorrow Chōji. Don't worry about it so much, your gonna give yourself an ulcer." Shikamaru said as he rolled onto his side to close his eyes.

"Umm Shikamaru…do you think we are going to be on a team together?" Chōji asked his best friend softly.

Shikamaru sighed loudly before sitting up and staring at his best friend with a lazy look. "Since we are good friends and since our fathers worked so well together; it's pretty likely that the team is going to be me, you, and the blonde banshee."

Chōji nodded in relief as Shikamaru just confirmed his hopes. "That's good; I wouldn't want to be on a team without you. Though Ino can be annoying at times."

Shikamaru rubbed two fingers against his temple. "Just the thought of being on a team with her is giving me a headache…"

"She's not that bad…" At Shikamaru's look Chōji knew he was just kidding himself trying to convince Shikamaru differently.

"Who's not that bad?" A loud voice came from behind Shikamaru causing him to audibly groan as Ino walked up behind him.

"What do you want Ino?" Shikamaru asked they girl as she crossed her arms and looked down at him.

"What!? Can't I come talk with childhood friends?" The disbelieving looks the two sent her their answers. "Fine. I just came to find out if you knew anything about the meeting our fathers are going to tonight. I heard daddy say something about it being about the new teams this year."

"My father didn't get back from a mission until late last night. So I didn't hear anything from him. How about you Chōji?"

"Umm my father didn't mention anything about the teams." Chōji responded with a quick shake of his head.

"Did you need anything else Ino? You are standing in my view…"

For her part Ino looked annoyed. "Don't you think you should be treating me better? After all daddy said it was likely the three of us are going to be on the same team, though I would prefer to be on a team with Sasuke-kun." She trailed off at the end with hearts in her eyes.

"So do we." Shikamaru muttered under his breath. A sharp strike to the back of his head told him didn't do it quietly enough. "Ouch woman. Don't just go hitting people."

"I heard what you said lazy bastard!" As she started smacking him across the back of the head. "All I wanted to know was if you heard what the teams make up was going to be!"

Chōji was about to step in to intervene the two when the bell for the end of the lunch period rang interrupting Ino. She just huffed and walked off with her fists clenched back towards the building.

"Damn woman." Shikamaru muttered Chōji helped him stand up before they started their walk back to the academy.

"Maybe she won't be on our team?" Chōji commented helplessly to which Shikamaru could only sigh.

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Hiruzen could feel a large headache coming on as he had to take a long drag of his pipe as he looked at the large group of people inside of the council's meeting chamber. It seemed that there were many people interested in this year's graduating class, so many in fact that it required for the meeting to move from his office to this chamber. The elder shinobi and council members sitting down while the rest of the men were lined against the walls of the hall.

Only small parts of the Jōnin present were the ones that would be assigned teams. The rest it seemed were simply present because this was the year that Uchiha Sasuke would be assigned to a team.

Other than Jōnin a few Chūnin were present, a few of the council members were present, and of course those ninjas who had family waiting to be picked. He could see the clan heads all gathered discussing quietly amongst themselves. 'Most likely about how they should change Naruto's training regime now that he was becoming a sensei.' Sarutobi thought grimly.

"Pardon me Hokage-sama, but can we not start since it seems everyone is here?"

Ah yes, the reason he had a headache in the first place. 'Naruto where are you…'

Just as the thought was going through his head he noticed the doors to the council chamber open and a masked face pop his head inside.

"Ah sorry I'm late! I was just finalizing the teams before I realized I was late." Naruto spoke as he scratched the back of his head carrying a large folder in his other hand. Entering the room Naruto noticed several the council and Jōnin present staring at him slack jawed. Those that had never seen him before muttering about his height and size, guessing his age, and just in general talking about him. "I guess some people are surprised to see me."

"Wait Hokage-sama!" A loud voice erupted from the group of Chūnin present. Naruto turned to see the teacher from the academy with the scar across his nose that he had seen on several occasions at Ichiraku's. "Do you mean that Anbu-san here was the one to design the team's this year? What about my recommendations to you?"

Some muttering could be heard going on throughout the crowd as they looked between the Hokage and the teacher. "I assure you Iruka that I trust Naruto-kun here to arrange the teams accordingly. I gave him all the information that you gave me on the student this year, so he used that in making his decision."

Naruto could already here the muttering of his name spreading throughout the room amongst those that didn't know beforehand. Some of the Chūnin and Jōnin around the room looking at him differently now that they knew he was named after a ramen topping. 'Well I guess my name was gonna come out sooner or later'.

"What about the sensei's that were requesting specific Genin to form our team? Hokage-sama" A voice called out from the other side of the room. Out of the crowd stepping a beautiful woman with long dark locks of hair and ruby red eyes.

"I assure you Kurenai that I gave all of the information and requests regarding team formation to Naruto-kun here. There is no need to fret, let's just listen to how he decided to arrange the teams." Hiruzen quickly calmed her down as Naruto was starting to feel more and more nervous about the choices he made and all the stares he was receiving. "So Naruto. Let's hear the three teams that you expect to pass first."

"Ok then..." Naruto stated as he set down the folder on the table in front of him. "Umm well I guess I will start with the team that everyone is interested in. Team Seven, led by Hatake Kakashi, will be made up of Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Suzuki Hitoshi."

Naruto could see nods of approval coming from different council members and even Iruka as the group stood looking at him. Naruto smiled under his mask as he realized that he had pleased some of the people around him. "And explain the reasoning for this make up also Naruto-kun." Naruto heard Sarutobi ask.

"Well I figured that the only real teacher for Sasuke would have to be Kakashi-senpai. Considering that they are the last two in Konoha who currently possess the sharingan eye. It only made sense to have Kakashi-senpai teach him how to use it properly." More nods of approval were given throughout the chamber.

"It has also been tradition amongst us to put the lowest ranked student with the highest ranked student to help balance the team and give it a better chance at survival. Suzuki Hitoshi, though a year younger than everyone else, is currently the lowest rank student and Uchiha Sasuke is the highest."

"Then we have the female of the group Haruno Sakura. If we are to consider each of the genin as one category of ninja Uchiha Sasuke the ninjutsu powerhouse of the group, and Suzuki Hitoshi the taijutsu user of the group, then we will likely be considering Haruno Sakura the genjutsu user. She displays excellent book smarts and has nearly they highest chakra control of the class."

"Very good Naruto." Naruto beamed underneath his mask at the Hokage's praise. "That was exactly how I was planning to arrange that team. It even matches the recommendations of Iruka-san." The old man glanced over at the Chūnin and was pleased to see the smile on the face of the schoolteacher.

"Ah ha." Naruto had the good decency to look a little sheepish under the praise. "Should I move on then?"

"Of course."

Naruto took a deep breath before this one and braced himself. "Team Eight, led by Yuhi Kurenai, will consist of Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba,…and Yamanka Ino."

"What!?" Was yelled out loudly by Yamanka Inoichi, Yuhi Kurenai, and Umino Iruka all at once as they stepped forward. 'Saw this one coming' Naruto thought grimly.

"Hokage-sama I thought you said that he took into consideration the placements that I recommended? I have worked with these students for years and I don't think that this placement can be allowed." Iruka got in quickly before the other two could launch their protests.

"I requested for Hyūga Hinata to be on this team for a specific purpose Hokage-sama. I wanted to create the best tracking and reconnaissance team in Konoha and these three specific students are what I researched to be the best." Kurenai shouted out.

"I do not believe that my daughter will be very pleased with this arrangement Hokage-sama. I fail to see how putting her with this team and splitting up the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would work to Konoha's advantage. Not only that, I do not believe she is good with animals…" Inoichi spoke up for his daughter.

Meanwhile Naruto just stood there while questions were being bombarded towards the Hokage. He had a feeling that this team would cause a large disagreement between him and Kurenai. Not to mention that one of his own sensei's Inoichi might get fairly ticked off by his opinions on this matter.

"Calm down you three." Sarutobi grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance at the three adults. "This is most surprising Naruto-kun, would you mind explaining you reasoning to those against you?"

"Yeah. I knew that this would probably cause some problems…" Naruto laughed lightly trying to lift the mood slightly…and failing miserably he noticed. "Umm Iruka-san right?"

"Correct." The teacher nodded back to him.

"Well, I read the folder you gave to Hokage-sama very thoroughly and observed your students closely for the few days. I understand your feelings regarding the students, and I understand why you feel that this team will have some troubles, personally I think that it will struggle at first."

"Then why would you set the team up this way?" Iruka argued hotly believing Naruto to be admitting to setting up a poorly designed team.

"Because quite frankly I am putting these students with Kurenai-san because Ino need's an attitude adjustment." Naruto folded his arms against his chest as he looked at a few of the stunned faces around the room. "No offense Inoichi-sama, but your daughters attitude just isn't going to cut it in the ninja world. She is too used to getting things her way and being in charge. She is spoiled, and it's the fault of both the father and the teacher for not telling her how it is."

Inoichi mouth was agape as he sat in his seat wide eyed at Naruto's comments. Next to him Chōza and Shikaku were laughing loudly at their friend's state. Several other council members were snickering slightly at the words, but it was clear to see that Iruka was slightly offended.

"I always told you she was being spoiled by daddy Inoichi." Shikaku laughed next his friend

"W-what do you mean Naruto? How could my teaching have affected her in such a way?" Iruka sputtered out. Meanwhile Inoichi had shut his mouth and was looking at Naruto with a glare that promised pain at their next training session.

"Let me read two comments made by Ino herself about the two teammates she is being placed with. When asked about Inuzuka Kiba she said "Muttboy? He smells way too gross for me to get near him." And when asked about Aburame Shino "Bugs are gross! I don't want anything to do with him." Those are the two things she said most recently about her two classmates."

In his daughters absence Inoichi had the good decency to look embarrassed by the feral glare coming from Inuzuka Tsume and the emotionless one from Aburame Shibi. Other shinobi around the room simply couldn't believe how rude the girl could be to two classmates.

"Ino needs to be prepared to deal with teams that may not always be to her liking. Teams will change depending on the mission requirements and she will be in teams with Inuzukas', Aburames', Sarutobis' and more in the future. We are all ninja of Konoha."

"But how would being on a team that she would hate make her any better? Shouldn't it be a more gradual lesson." Iruka looked slightly embarrassed at the entire hall hearing about the misgivings of his own student.

"Well not only would it teach her a lesson about not always getting things her way, but to be quite honest it's also the best sensei for her." Kurenai raised her eyebrow in suspicion at Naruto's praise. "From all the reports I have read about the sensei's this year, she is only one I can see that won't put up with Ino's attitude and let her walk all over her. She seems to be the only one I can see that can really whip Ino into a more proper kunoichi."

Hiruzen smirked underneath his hat as he observed the debate. 'He has really thought a lot about this.' He thought with a smile.

"While I might agree that I would never let Ino walk all over me." Kurenai spoke as she stepped in front of Naruto. "I requested Hyūga Hinata on my team for a specific reason. Her Byakugan would be one of the greatest assets of my team for tracking and reconnaissance."

"I think you are slightly underestimating the other two squad members and even the Yamanka techniques themselves if you believe that your squad would not be able to fit your requests." Kurenai's glared at Naruto verbal jab. "Inuzuka noses are the best tracking noses in the entire village, Aburame insects are some of the best miniature scouts and their ability to track chakra makes them invaluable, and let's not forget that Yamanka mind techniques could allow Ino to inhabit an animal or even a member of the opposing faction and scout that way."

"Doing those two things could pose a risk for Ino." Kurenai countered hotly, not willing to let Naruto win this argument.

"There is risk in everything we do. And even if what you were to say is true, what right does your team have to leave another team without at least a decent tracker. We are lucky that if anyone can boast to be a near equal tracker to an Inuzuka it's Kakashi-senpai for team seven. That would still leave team ten without a good scout if I were to give you Hyūga Hinata, which would only hurt the balancing of the teams." Naruto's raised his voice.

"I hardly see how not putting Hinata in that team would hurt their ability as a team. If anything, it would be better to have Ino in that team to continue the legacy their parents created."

"Just because their parent's created a great legacy hardly means that it will work for the children. Their personalities do not mesh in the same way that their parents did. Fact is that I would make the best teacher for Hinata and you would make the best for Ino."

Kurenai glared hard at the boy masked boy before her. "Just what makes you think you can teach her better than me. She has near perfect chakra control; she could easily learn my techniques and even bring them to a new level eventually."

"Which is exactly what she doesn't need!" Naruto growled out, his anger starting to get the better of him. "If you think that teaching her genjutsu and the ranged techniques that you are used to are going to help her, you are dead wrong! She is a member of the Hyūga clan; she needs training with someone who has experience with their techniques and knows the best ways to fight against one. She needs someone who can help with both her clan techniques and her ninja techniques."

"And you are that person?!" She hissed at him.

"Yes! No other person in this room is as familiar with the Hyūga style and fighting against it as I am. Hiashi-sama can attest to that personally." Naruto shouted as he turned to Hiashi, who nodded his head in agreement to the claim. "I can train her better than anyone in this room can. This was my decision on making the team."

Hiruzen raised his eyebrow slightly at the last exchange. Naruto's origin and training had been kept a secret since that night, but small bits of information was starting to come out. His well-trained ears could hear people whispering about what the connection was between Naruto and Hiashi.

"You are not the one who chooses the teams! That is the responsibility of Hokage-sama." A loud cough erupted after this spoken. Everyone turned to see the Hokage had stood up and was glaring at the two bickering in the center of the room.

"Calm down now you two. Kurenai please return to where you were standing and leave Naruto-kun alone." Kurenai muttered a small apology to the Hokage as she walked back to where she had been standing earlier. His gaze now leveled at Naruto he began. "While I do not fully agree with all of your reasoning on this matter Naruto-kun. I must agree that among the possible teachers this year, you would make the best sensei for young Hinata-chan. For now… I agree to your choice for team eight."

A small grin appeared on Hiashi's face as his plans came into fruition. Next to him Shikaku leant in closely to whisper into his ear. "You didn't happen to have a hand in this team making did you Hiashi-sama. After all Naruto looks up to you more than any of us." Shikaku whispered with a smirk.

"We both know that if I told Naruto to put my daughter on his team, that he would have done just the opposite Shikaku." Hiashi whispered back causing the other man to laugh and agree with the statement. "Are you upset at all about the teams so far?"

"Haha are you kidding? There are only two other students, besides your daughter, that are left, and we know who is going to teach them. We are about to hear some good news, right?" Shikaku whispered as he grinned largely.

"Team ten will be made up Akimichi Chōji, Hyūga Hinata, and Nara Shikamaru. The squad will be led by me!" Naruto shouted out loudly.

"Very good news indeed." Hiashi spoke softly with a smile.

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Anyway, comments appreciated and I hope you like the chapter.

Next Chapter: Lunch Time Rush and Konoha's Demon Teacher