"Your time starts… Now" Kakashi announced then disappeared in an instant. Sakura and Sasuke did the same to discuss their strategy, while Naruto remained standing right in his place with the only change being him entering tailed-beast-six-paths mode. One advantage of your teammate being the Kyuubi, was that Naruto could discuss his strategy with Kurama in an inner plane without the need to go into hiding. Matter of fact, they had already discussed their strategy the moment Kakashi announced the rules of the exercise.

"That idiot" Sakura whispered to Sasuke, "He'll never change" but Sasuke smirked and said, "Did you forget about his sensing abilities, there's no point in us hiding. We just need to get away long enough to go over our strategy" Sakura's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink in embarrassment as the realization hit her, this is not going to be like the bell test she was familiar with. She underestimated Naruto out of sentiment. Hadn't she already learned long ago never to doubt him? When had he ever failed to push through until he emerged victorious. "Sorry, old habit" she explained, and Sasuke understood as he had been guilty of falling into those himself.

Naruto made four shadow clones and gave each one of them a truth-seeker orb to camouflage the original among them. [Nothing to do but wait] Kurama stated, and Naruto flashed a beam on his lips as his eyebrows knotted to express his excitement as he said, 'here they come'.

Itachi was beginning to dread the excessive camaraderie he was experiencing; he was now getting the same attentions he had been receiving by the villagers from earlier, and he hated being the main topic of focus. This would only get worse if he truly was made to face off against Sasuke and Naruto. He had to put a stop to this somehow.

He looked over to where Tsunade was seated and was about to make a move to walk over to her so he may dissuade her from organizing the faceoff, when a girl with long blonde hair and a skimpy outfit sat next to him. She was the Yamanaka who had probed his mind during his interrogation, Inoichi Yamanaka's daughter, he recollected. "You sure seem to be the new buzz around here" she said in a warm velvety voice, "I know that can be quite discomforting for you" Itachi was taken aback by the remark she made, she could tell? No, she said she 'knows' like she was sure of it, He mused. He always maintained a stoic countenance, and a nonchalant tone of speech which made it difficult for anyone to succeed in discerning his feelings. Well, anyone other than his late best friend.

"Sorry, about probing your mind. I can't imagine that being comfortable either" she continued more apologetically. Itachi then realized that must be why she noticed, but still, to be able to understand his current discomfort from one mind reading session, she must be highly empathetic. Just like Shisui…

This nostalgic feeling that he received, prompted him to return a warm smile her way as he said, "You were doing your duty to the village" and she smiled in return. "How about I make it up to you anyway" she suggested, and he returned an inquisitive look her way then said, "What do you mean?" she giggled slightly then leaned into his ear and whispered, "Let me get you away from here. You seem like you're too shy to excuse yourself even though you appear to be very uncomfortable". Itachi became flustered by her warm breath prickling his ears and nodded once in agreement to her suggestion.

He appeared to be very uncomfortable to her. How could she tell? This woman was intriguing him very much and he found himself desperate to speak more to her so he may learn how she could discern how he was feeling; this woman was exposing a possible weakness that could later be exploited. Itachi watched as Ino Yamanaka got up and said, "I apologize, Uchiha-San, I am inconveniencing you, but thank you for agreeing to help me complete the additional details requested by the Hokage into my report" she bowed her head slightly, and Itachi responded, "It is no inconvenience, Yamanaka-San." She smiled and asked, "Are you alright if we head out now? I need to have it submitted within the hour" and Itachi nodded and got up to leave with her, after he had excused himself from his present company. "Yamanaka, you better finish that report quickly and bring him back!" Anko barked, and Ino simply waved her off with her hand as she walked away with Itachi.

They had seven minutes left to the test when Sasuke and Sakura returned to face Naruto and his shadow clones. "Hn, typical" Sasuke snarked at the sight of his shadow clones as he gave a knowing look to Sakura who had released her hundred healings jutsu. With a nod, the retrieval of the bells began. He rushed over to her with his sword unsheathed and lightening running through it. Sasuke raised his sword to attack her and she in turn seemed like she was about to throw a monster punch his way. The moment before his sword dealt his blow or her fist landed its punch, Sasuke used the Rinnegan's prowess to switch places with one of Naruto's clones and both of their attacks had simultaneously taken out a shadow clone. The truth-seeker orb that had been hovering by them have floated towards two different Narutos.

[That went exactly as you had predicted] Kurama commented on the other team's attack. 'it's not over yet' Naruto responded, 'Let's give them a show'.

Naruto had two clones remaining and they all charged with him towards his teammates and were now engaged in a taijutsu battle. Sasuke had been fighting two Narutos while Sakura had taken on one. They had only five minutes left to retrieve the bells from Naruto, and it was now time to execute plan B. Naruto was known to be unpredictable, so Sasuke and Sakura tried to guess what his unpredictability would be this time around. They both agreed there is a chance his clones would be carrying the bells instead of the original, or that his clone would be hiding as a transformed object with the bells. That's just the sort of thing he would do, so the plan was to determine which was the original and to use the Sharingan to get him to hand over the bells or inform them where they were.

Four minutes were remaining on the clock, and Sasuke was noticing that the Narutos fighting him are giving him a harder time than the Naruto with Sakura was giving her. Naruto's clones are weaker than the original, and more so they were self-sacrificial, but the Naruto fighting Sakura was going even easier than a clone would. That must be the original, he discerned. He had to wait for an opening in which it would be safe for him to switch himself with Sakura.

Sasuke stepped back from the Narutos before him and unsheathed his sword; he was going to use the Rinnegan's ability to pull one of them into his sword and the other into his Chidori. If this was the original Naruto, then he would use the truth-seeker orb to counter, otherwise it would mean the original was the one fighting Sakura, which he suspected to be the case.

Sasuke used the pull ability and just as he had predicted both the Narutos he had been fighting failed to counter his attempt. Within moments the clones dispelled, and they had three minutes left on the clock. This session was going to end much sooner than the time that was given to them. He switched himself with Sakura as soon as the clones had dispelled and with his Sharingan he had succeeded in placing Naruto under his genjutsu before the remainder of truth-seeker orbs returned to him.

"You are now under my genjutsu, tell me where the bells are" Sasuke said to Naruto who appeared to be under hypnosis. "They're over there" Naruto said lifting a finger to point at a rock that had transformed back into his clone. So, he's hidden it with a clone just as we thought. This was too easy, he mused with a smirk on his face. "Undo the shadow clone jutsu" he ordered, and Naruto did as he instructed. The bells fell to the ground and Sakura rushed over to grab them. Sasuke released Naruto from the genjutsu and called for Kakashi "It's over, you can come out now". Kakashi emerged and said, "Well that ended sooner than I expected" and Naruto asked confusingly "What happened?" and Sakura dangled the bells before him, "We won, that's what happened" she gloated, and Sasuke smirked victoriously.

"At least you managed to keep the bells in good condition" Kakashi remarked, but Naruto was looking smug, "Why don't you look again?" he said to Sakura as one of the bells she'd been holding had transformed into a twig. Naruto called one of the truth seeker orbs to his hand and it unravelled to reveal the second bell. "Number one unpredictable ninja indeed" Kakashi said behind an endearing smile. "What? You had it hidden in the orb the whole time? I don't understand, why didn't you just place both bells in there?" Sakura asked bewildered.

Naruto was grinning widely as he said, "Teamwork. This way we all win" and Sakura smiled at him lovingly, while Sasuke remarked "That doesn't make any sense, you were under my genjutsu. When I asked you where the bells were, you should have revealed the one in the orb as well." Naruto replied, "Oh that, ha-ha well Kurama and I predicted that would be your strategy, so we were prepared for it. He released the genjutsu on me as soon as you cast it" the grin on his face turning wider and smugger now. [that went precisely as we planned. Good job kid!] Kurama praised, and Naruto said loudly, "I couldn't have done it without you" as he touched a hand to his stomach with endearment.

He planned everything from the beginning so that they would all emerge victors from this exercise. Naruto, even after all this time you still surprise me, Kakashi mused, but what he said aloud was, "Naruto… you have displayed the qualities of a fine leader. I believe you are now ready to take on a team of your own." Naruto was looking astonished, "Kakashi Sensei…" he said in a quiet whisper, "…You mean…" and Kakashi interjected to confirm, "Yes, I believe you are ready to lead a genin team of your own. It's your turn to be called Sensei"

Itachi and Ino were walking about the village. He has his Sharingan on so he may imprint every detail in his mind. "I have to thank you Yamanaka-San, for helping me get out of there" he said, and she responded, "Don't sweat it. It was no big deal and please call me Ino, we're friends now" Itachi raised an eyebrow at her, she was so formal before and now she was very casual with him. Friends? Sure, why not. This will make it easier to uncover how she was able to read me so easily, he mused "Alright, only if you call me Itachi as well" he responded, and she nodded back.

Itachi had always been a direct person; If he was ever curious about something, he would just ask about it, and so he did. "Ino, how were you able to tell that I had been feeling uncomfortable" she turned to look at him and said, "You seem worried that I was able to pick up on it" was he really this much of an open book? Itachi gave her a pressing look, and she answered, "It was a look you had. It wasn't an obvious look so don't worry. The only reason I was able to pick up on it was because of Shisui" Itachi couldn't hide his astonished expressions at this moment. How did she know Shisui? She must have been only a child back when he was still alive. She was making him more intrigued than he had been before.

"What do you mean?" he asked incredulously, and she obliged him with an answer again, "I had to probe Sasuke's memories after the war too, and a large part of it was the memories you shared with him. One memory that stood out was between you and your best friend from back then. The one where he understood why you didn't want to stay in your home often. It just stuck with me, and I saw the same look in your eyes back in the pub."

She saw my memories? He mused and she spoke again, "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable" but the thing is, that didn't make him uncomfortable. He was glad that there was someone else who was now capable of understanding him… "Please, you don't have to apologize. I understand… It's your job to ensure the village's security" she gave him a comforting smile and said, "Itachi, if you need a friend, I can be that for you. It must be difficult for you to return after all these years of being alone, but you don't have to be alone anymore." He was looking pensive now at her words.

No, he didn't have to be alone. This was what he said he would do, right? Things were going to be different this time around. He was going to truly live. Itachi smiled in return and nodded in agreement to her words. "Well, it looks like we're going to be friends, Ino Yamanaka." He looked ahead and said, "I captured most of the village, what lies over there?" he asked pointing to the east, and she responded, "More training grounds. Shall we head over there?" she questioned, and he nodded in return then they were off towards their new destination.

Itachi and Ino were leaping over the rooftops of the last section of the village, when they stopped over a building that was near the Academy and Administration office. "That covers it all" he said, and she stopped next to him as he turned his gaze over to the Hokage monument. The last time Itachi looked onto the mountain, there had been stone faces depicting up to the Yondaime, but he was now looking at all six of them. "This place had changed so much" he expressed, and Ino hadn't missed the profound thought that he had been expressing, "Yeah, it sure has in more than just appearances too" She responded, and he nodded at her words.

The sun had been setting over the mountain painting streaks of red, yellow, and orange and the refraction of the light hit the faces of the Hokage with piercing rays that had prompted Ino to look away. Her gaze fell upon Itachi, and she noticed how the sunlight was reflecting off him and enhancing his features. His stoic expression had changed into a serene one as a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. For the first time, she noticed how handsome he looked in a way that was much different than Sasuke. Itachi had a kindness about him, and she wondered how she missed it when she saw him through the memories of Sasuke and Naruto. Then a thought suddenly hit her that she was on a rooftop staring at the sunset with Itachi Uchiha a man who had once been considered notorious but now celebrated as a world hero, and he was looking…hot!

Get it together Ino, she chastised herself inwardly as she turned away suddenly and felt the heat rushing to her cheeks. Itachi looked over to her with an inquisitive look and he asked, "Is something wrong?" Oh shit, he noticed! She was worried that he had picked up on her thoughts and scrambled her mind to say anything to throw him off, "Um no, why would something be wrong?" she said flustered, great that definitely threw him off, she thought sarcastically, "You seem nervous all of a sudden" he remarked, and she sighed and came clean, "Okay, don't take this the wrong way, you'll learn quickly that I'm someone who speaks her mind but don't read too much into it" she warned, although if Itachi did take her next words to mean anything, he wouldn't be off the mark exactly. "You're a real good-looking guy" she blurted, and it was his turn to become flustered now. She hid her face in her palms, and that reaction didn't do much to ease the situation at all.

If that was difficult for her to say, then why not just lie. I wouldn't have known what she was thinking, Itachi thought, and he was now curious about her again, "Ino, if you didn't want to tell me what you were thinking, then why not just keep that information to yourself? I wouldn't have pried if you felt uncomfortable" he stated. "Yeah, like I don't know that! But, like I said, I'm someone who speaks her mind." Her voice trailed into a bashful tone and then into a more ashamed one as she admitted, "ugh, I can't believe I just said you were a good-looking guy" she placed a palm back to cover her face, "I made things awkward, didn't I?" she looked at him and he was chuckling, "No, it's… refreshing to meet someone as candid as you are" he said and smiled at her. "Wow, even your laugh is pretty" she blurted as she clasped a hand to her mouth, which prompted him to laugh again as she was now looking dishevelled.

"JUST STOP BEING CUTE AND I'LL STOP SAYING WEIRD THINGS!" she blurted louder than she intended to, and he retorted, "I don't know how I'm doing that exactly" he took her hand and gave her a grateful look as he said, "Thank you" and she said dumbfoundedly, "You're thanking me for yelling at you?" he chuckled and said, "No, for being your honest self. The only other people I met who were as honest as you are, were Naruto and Shisui. So, thank you for allowing me to meet another wonderful person" Oh fuck, I'm totally screwed, she thought to herself, and scrambled once more in her head for anything to get her out of this situation before she does or says anything else she'll regret. Damn her stupid honesty and forward nature.

She never processed her next thought and just reacted as it first came to manifest in her mind, the next thing she knew she was running off towards the Hokage Monument and yelling back at a very baffled Itachi, "Race you to the top!"

Itachi was now staring at a shrinking Ino as she was heading farther away from him and closer towards the monument. Am I supposed to chase her? he questioned himself. She already has a head start… This was a race, so the objective was to win. He dashed off the building he was standing on and rushed towards the mountain.

Ino was running as fast as she could. She extended her sensory range to learn where Itachi was and found he was catching up behind her. She increased her pace and just passed the Administration building when a murder of crows emerged to encircle her and forcing her to slow down.

When the crows disappeared, she was now staring at Itachi's back who had just started to run up the mountain. "Grrr, HEY THAT'S CHEATING!" She picked up her pace to chase after him, but as she started her ascent on the mountain, Itachi had already reached the Second Hokage's nose. She wasn't a quitter so even if she clearly lost this race, she still made it to the top where a smug looking Itachi waited for her. "That's totally cheating!" she barked, and he retorted, "You didn't mention any rules, besides you had a head start. It was only fair" That smug smile on his face making him look all sexy was getting her all riled up and her eyebrows were starting to tense, but Itachi walked over to her suddenly and… did he just poke my forehead? She was staring at him stunned, but that definitely loosened the knot forming in her brows.

[That brat Kakashi can't be serious, a genin taking on a genin team?] Naruto heard Kurama laugh from inside him, [That's a first] and Naruto looked bewildered, but Kurama made a good point.

"Kakashi Sensei, how am I supposed to take on a genin team when I'm still a genin too?! You never promoted me to Jonin" Naruto questioned, and Kakashi lifted the tub of his thumb and index finger to support his chin as he took in his student's question. "You make a fair point. It's Itachi's problem now, you can ask him about it" he announced, and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him and said, "What do you mean?"

Kakashi gave a sly smile and elaborated, "Oh, just that I offered him the position of Jonin Commander earlier and he accepted it" Sasuke and Sakura were surprised, but Naruto was looking elated, "Awesome, I'm totally going to make Jonin now! Hey Sasuke, let's go find Itachi. I need you to do that pouty face thing of yours." Sasuke deadpanned then tsked at Naruto's statement, "I don't have a pouty face" he said irritated, "Besides, you're the one who wants to make Jonin so go pout at him yourself" Naruto grinned menacingly then said, "You do realize you and I are literally the only ones left who are still genin, right?" he said matter-of-factly, "If I make Jonin, then that leaves only you… The top of our class now the dead last" he threw that last statement out there knowing that Sasuke was going to rise to the bait.

He locked his unblinking eyes now with the Uchiha.

"…"

"…"

"Ugh, fine! Let's go… loser" Sasuke said succumbing to Naruto's antics. "Naruto…" Kakashi called out, "Aren't you forgetting something?" Naruto turned to look at his sensei and said, "Huh?" then Kakashi raised a hand up that was holding the bells and he proclaimed, "These used to belong to my Sensei… they're yours now. Think of it as a passing of the torch, sort of…"

Naruto's eyes widened in glee at the sentiment as he took the bells from his sensei… "Dad…" he said in a whisper, "I'm going to be an even better Sensei than you were!" he proclaimed. [Those are some big shoes to fill, Kid] Kurama claimed, 'yeah…' was all Naruto responded to his tailed beast, 'But I have you to help me' he said smiling in anticipation and stunning Kurama, 'you're going to be a Sensei too, Kurama'

Kurama was touched by Naruto's response and said, [you're going to do just fine, Kid] Naruto was in the inner plane and raised his fist towards the Kyuubi in askance of a fist bump and Kurama obliged. They grinned at each other, but the moment was broken off when Sasuke called to Naruto, "Come on, loser, let's go".

The thought of Naruto besting him was boiling his blood, and he was in a hurry now to find Itachi. "Alright, I'm coming." Naruto and Sasuke were leaping on tree branches back to the village when Naruto chimed out of nowhere, "Hey, we should probably do something to celebrate Itachi's promotion" Naruto remarked, "maybe we could throw him a party or something" he suggested, "Since when did you become a party planner?" Sasuke questioned raising an eyebrow. "What? It's a great way to get him acquainted with everyone. Besides, parties are fun! And Itachi can use a little cheer in his life" Sasuke deadpanned… "Why am I saying this to you, you're the least cheerful guy I know. I'll speak to Hinata and Sakura about it and give you the details. All you have to do is show up"

What Sasuke actually thought was that a party would be a good idea. Itachi knew only a few people, and this would be one way to get him reaffiliated efficiently. However, what Sasuke said aloud was, "Whatever, just pick up the pace you're trailing behind" as he sped up. Naruto took this to be a challenge and said, "Pick up the pace, huh?" with a grin on his face.

'Ready Kurama?'

[Let's do this, Kid!]

Naruto entered his tailed-beast mode state and rushed back to the village in a flash.

Sasuke halted in place and grumbled to nothing, "What a loser", but he was provoked and so he smirked and opened a portal that led him to the main gate of the village. He saw Naruto arrive a second later and he gloated, "You're too slow" with his arms folded and a smirk plastered on his face. "Damn, I thought I was sure to beat you with a head start" Naruto claimed, and Sasuke scoffed "Once a dead last, always a dead last" Naruto grinned and said, "Alright, how about a rematch then. Let's see who finds Itachi first" here Naruto had the advantage with his sensing abilities. He had already picked up Itachi's location and before Sasuke can turn down the challenge, he rushed off towards the Hokage Monument.

Author's Note:

Phew that was a bigger chapter than usual. Aren't Kurama and Naruto just too cute! love their friendship!

Next chapter:

A different perspective, a race, and some tension...