Chapter 4: Graduation and Teams
Two years have passed, and it was now the day of graduation. Needless to say, I was pleased with the way things turned out. All of my and Hinata's friends were far above the expected levels of strength, speed, and jutsu for newly minted Genin.
Hinata had started training her long overdue variation of the Rasengan, which was, funnily enough, the Lightning Style: Vanishing Rasengan. Although hers, unlike Boruto's in the anime, was about the same size as my regular Rasengan. Which is big. Like Basketball size big. It's a formidable jutsu and I'll just leave it at that.
I made sure to create many new different genjutsu and techniques with the help of mom and the Old Man, eventually showing him my version of the Shadow Clone. He was impressed at my technique, classifying it as an A rank technique because of the control required to split your chakra into just it's Yin Component to use the technique. I'd done it naturally somehow, same with mom since she specialized in genjutsu and used her Yin Chakra Component more than her Yang.
This made him pose the question of what the Yang Release: Shadow Clone could do instead. Ladies and gentlemen, the Professor.
We developed the technique, and wouldn't you guess it? It could only use tai and bukijutsu, along with any technique that was purely physical. It didn't have any fancy abilities like the other Yin Clone did, but it was sturdy. Really sturdy. Like you had to actually cut it in half or something to kill it. It also transferred memories like the regular Shadow Clone, which was a plus.
The one downside was the fatigue caused by the jutsu. It used more or less the same amount of chakra as the Yin variant, but it transferred any fatigue directly to the user once it dispelled.
I used it with myself, mom and everyone else I was friends with, including the newly minted Jonin Umino Iruka, to train. This got me stuck in a coma for two weeks after overusing it and mom forbade me from using more than ten at any one time. I'd been using over fifty when I collapsed.
This got my new technique labeled a Forbidden Jutsu because of the dangers to the user. I was the only person who could survive the backlash, and even then, I barely made it. Mom had been so distraught that I promised I'd never be so reckless again. She held me tight and treated me like a baby the rest of the day when I woke up.
So, I managed to do many things these past few years, many of which involved sealing, but I'll leave that for later.
I'd also been able to accomplish my main goal for this period.
Getting a lot closer to Sasuke. It was a little awkward at first, but he seemed calmer and happier nowadays, so I think spending the additional time with him after that first scuffle was a good investment. I also had to hug him for reassurance occasionally when he was feeling insecure or was starting to spiral downwards. I did make sure that it was always in private when he stayed over after training, and never in front of Sakura or anyone else for that matter. I, much against my original plans, became Sasuke's emotional support pillar, along with Sakura and Lee, believe it or not.
They'd met in one of our group training sessions and quickly became rivals of sorts. Lee and I also had a similar, although much more easygoing relationship. They developed a very friendly rivalry when it came to taijutsu, but they didn't just hang out like Lee and I often did. More often than not they liked to spar and do challenges like Guy and Kakashi do, but much less ridiculous and over-the-top. Lee often won their spars, but Sasuke was not one to make things easy, and they often traded places on who had the upper hand in any one battle.
Lee had also met Sakura much earlier on, but unlike the original, he didn't profess his undying love and desire to protect her. He silently approached me and asked me if there was anyone she liked. I told him and he was a bit disheartened at first. Then he decided to compete over her with Sasuke, though this competition was more internal than anything, since only the two of us knew about it. They eventually became friends and… well… Sakura and Lee had a weird relationship. They liked each other enough to flirt, and yes, my boy Lee is a well accomplished flirt. But they didn't flirt enough to be anything more than just really good friends, that being said, we all had our own set of suspicions.
Tenten and Lee also flirted quite a bit as well, but never seemed to get passed that stage. She looked to be more in favor of dating me instead. Which brought its own set of complications later on.
I also noticed that Sakura was much more… touchy with Lee than she would otherwise be. But she was just as touchy feely with Sasuke. She and Sasuke actually started a relationship of sorts, it wasn't romantic by any means, but they certainly liked to be together in private quite a lot. I didn't mind them figuring things out on their own, but I was hoping that they didn't have a falling out and that was what tipped Sasuke over the edge. But he was happy, and he told me that Sakura always made him feel good when they were together. I chose to take it to mean he felt better, and not as her being naughty, because she's been nothing but cute and kind to me and everyone else, and I don't want to replace that image of her in my mind. I was pretty sure Sakura was conflicted, if her attitude towards Lee and Sasuke was any indication. But I already knew this song and dance, so I just let it be.
It was also at about the beginning of my fourth year in the academy that Tenten finally fessed up and confessed her feelings for me. I had to take a few moments just to wrap my head around the absurdity of what was going on. "I'm not even actively trying to get them to like me yet! I want to be at least fifteen before I start breaking hearts, ya'know?!" I rage internally inside the seal. Sure, it'd only been Tenten who confessed, but I knew that Ino was not going to be far behind, and hopefully Hinata would take her cue from them and tell me she loves me instead of Kiba.
"You've been doing that since you met them, kid. You're way too nice and helpful. Not to mention you don't grovel at their feet. You're doing a lot of things right; besides, females usually start mate hunting before the males do. You just happen to be under several crosshairs." Kurama chips in, waking up from his 'short' nap.
"But I'm too young for this shit!" I scream internally in anguish.
"If that were true, brat, you wouldn't have been so open about your affection with the white one. This situation is all your own doing, and I'm enjoying every second of it." He finishes with a dark chuckle that turns into full blown laughter at my defiant pout.
"Fine! If that's the way it's going to be, then I'll fight fire with FIRE! If you can't beat 'em, Join 'em!" I yell at him with my challengers pose. His response is just to laugh louder.
After her confession, Tenten became super flirty and often talked with me in innuendo. She never did get that crush on Neji, though. I think that has to do more with meeting me and Hinata and us being what she liked to call humble geniuses, instead of the arrogant holier-than-thou variety Neji was when they met. I welcomed it eventually but hadn't moved forward with it much, since I was kind of hoping Hinata and I would move our relationship in that direction at some point, unless her relationship with Kiba got there first… sigh. That would break my heart if I'm honest. Ino and Tenten would be my backups. Sounds mean, but that's just how I felt.
Speaking of Kiba, he and Shino also begun to show that they shared a much closer relationship than many of us would see them having. Though it made sense, given that they chose to dress rather similarly for the most part. They had a relationship a lot like mine and Sasuke's. They just got along that well. Shikamaru and I developed a similar relationship, as did Ino and Choji, believe it or not. But Ino never flirted with Choji, in fact, now that I think about it, the only person she's ever flirted with has been me.
"Well… damn." I pause at my revelation. "I guess she's going to confess pretty soon then…" I think to myself sardonically. I believe the saying goes 'Ask, and you shall receive', as I was later shown.
Not a week after the winter break finished for my fourth year, Ino confessed to me, very loudly and publicly. I couldn't respond, I was way too stunned at the spectacle. I just kind of zoned out at that point.
Then after that, Ino, following Tenten's lead, was constantly trying to get me to do naughty things with her after her confession. This girl was horny. No other way to phrase it. She was horny and Hinata did nothing but encourage her behavior. Something that broke my heart, since it made me think that maybe Hinata didn't like me as more than a friend. But that also conflicted with my feeling that Hinata has a girl crush on Ino and Tenten. So, I was all sorts of conflicted.
"Ugh! I think I'm better off just focusing on getting stronger and leaving all of the relationship stuff for after the war… if it even happens because who knows? Maybe I already made things veer off the beaten path." I think to myself in one of my inner rants.
Then, in a surprising turn of events, Hinata confessed to me the day before my fifteenth birthday.
Flashback Start:
After everyone was released for the day, I decided to make my way to the Hokage Tower to just spend some time with the Old Man. On my way there, however, I was stopped by a severely blushing Hinata, and a hopeful looking Ino.
"Uh... Hey girls, what's up?" I ask, only now remembering that Hinata wanted to speak to me after class. It was going to be my fifteenth birthday tomorrow, so I guess she wanted to ask what I'd like for a present or something. Ino being here gives credence to the thought.
"Hello, Naruto-kun. I... I wanted to ask if… I mean… I… I wanted to say that I… I like you!" She stumbles and backpedals before loudly confessing, fiddling with her fingers and giving me the accursed Puppy Dog Eyes Jutsu after her outburst.
I'm stunned when I hear this. I was sure she'd go for Kiba instead; she'd been spending more time with him than me recently. I remain quiet, my face looking like a fish out of water.
Eventually I responded. "I… I like you, too… Hina-chan… Do… do you want to become a couple now? Or… or wait until we're older…?" I felt so stupid asking that question. Like my face went from my usual tan tone to beet red in seconds.
She giggles at me and gives me a hug. "I… I want to wait a bit… but I want to be your first… can… can we? Please?" she asked in a quiet tone of voice, almost whispering.
"Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. I can't deal with this right now! How am I supposed to respond to a question like this!" I panic internally and look at Kurama for help. He laughs and tells me to just go for it.
I hesitate for a moment and ask her, "Can… can we wait until your birthday for this…? I… I need some time to wrap my head around this…" I whispered back in her ear as I embraced her tightly, trying to let her know that I wasn't rejecting her.
She looks up at me and stares into my eyes for a moment. I see a lot of mixed emotions in her eyes, and she smiles sadly at me. "S-sure… I can wait…" she trails off and I know that I'm not getting a redo of this.
"Fuck! Guess it's now or never…. ARGH!" I scream internally. I knew this had something to do with Kiba somehow, and I was not losing my future wife to that mutt!
I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close when she was about to move away with a disappointed look on her face. I took a deep breath and told her, "Fine… You win… pervert." I smile shyly at her, and she blushes at my knowing of her less than virtuous hobbies. I give Ino a look that said, 'Sorry' and grabbed Hinata in a bridal carry before I sped off to my apartment.
"I really hope mom isn't home…" I pray internally.
I felt bad for leaving Ino behind, but this was a party of two, not three. We get home and mom isn't there, so I go to my room and close the door, lock it, place security, privacy, and obfuscation seals, and look at Hinata. My heart pumping a mile a minute, my hands sweaty, my nerves wrecked to hell, and my breath caught in my throat.
I take a deep breath to try and calm down and ask if she's sure about this. Her response is to give me a soft kiss on the lips and nod. Her face as red as mine is, and her heart pounding savagely in her chest. I could feel it in my chest as we hugged and kissed. We started shy at first, but eventually things got heated and we took each other's first time in a shy, clumsy, passionate, loving manner.
I was already guilty, so I decided to just make the most of it and we spent the rest of the night exploring each other's bodies and making genuine love. The day after, I heard from Hinata that Kiba had asked her to be his girlfriend and she said that she only had eyes for me. She wanted to be sure that I felt the same, and ended up putting me in the difficult position that she did. She apologized for it, but I told her that I loved her, and that even if it wasn't how or when I would've preferred our first time together to be, I wasn't dissatisfied with how things turned out. She told me that we couldn't be a proper couple just yet, but that she wanted me to be with her like this whenever we could… and to maybe include Tenten and Ino from time to time.
"I fucking knew it! She's a pervert!" I screamed, outraged at being right about this.
"Hahahahahahahahaha! I told you so, brat!" Kurama had a field day after that.
Flashback End
We still got along perfectly after that, but now there was another dimension to our relationship that we were both trying to get used to. She came clean and told me that she wanted me to be happy and that even if we couldn't be a proper couple for a few years, that she would always be mine and mine alone; but that I could explore other options so long as I never abandoned her. This confession had been so heartfelt that I was teary eyed and was about to tell her that I would never be with anyone but her. She then ruined it by saying that she wanted to watch while I did the dirty with other girls that I liked.
I legit told her to give me my tears back. I was about to make the commitment of a lifetime, and she just told me she wanted to be cucked and watch. I was disappointed in her and how she turned out this way. When I asked her why she felt that way, she said that she felt like she didn't deserve to have me to herself. I'd done so much for her, and she'd barely done anything for me, according to her, that is, and decided that letting me be able to explore other terrain was a good way to repay me.
I was so shocked at the stupidity of her logic and reasoning that I couldn't respond. That was my mistake, because she took it as an affirmation, and I was unable to convince her otherwise from then on. Even after we got married and had kids, she insisted that she still wasn't deserving enough of me. I never did win that argument…
Anyway, she also went behind my back and got us engaged on her birthday. I wasn't mad at that, but I would have liked a bit of a heads up beforehand. I didn't learn about it until just before midnight that same day after my dinner date with Hinata.
Flashback Start
After coming home from my date with Hinata for her fifteenth birthday, I resolved to take a shower and sleep until next month. I was exhausted. I was just about to fall into the sweet embrace of unconsciousness when I heard a knock at my door. I groan but notice it's Hinata and the other girls with my sensing ability. They feel nervous and afraid for some reason, so I quickly get up and go to the door and open it. "Hinata? What's wrong honey?" I asked her.
"Well… uh… you see… I forgot to mention during dinner… that um…" She then finishes under her breath, and I can't make heads or tails of what she said. I was shocked at the one-eighty change in personality from the sensual flirty vixen I was dealing with not an hour prior; I'd needed a really cold shower.
"Uh… you wanna repeat that at human hearing volume?" I joke, to see if I can get her to relax. It had the opposite effect, because why wouldn't it?
She buries herself in my chest and continues to mumble unintelligibly under her breath and Tenten is the one to speak up. "Ugh! We have something to talk about, Naruto. Would you mind letting us in?"
"Uh… sure, sorry, forgot my manners there. Come on in." I open the door for them to go through and give them a full view of me in my boxer shorts. I wasn't going to shy away from them, and they weren't going to make a big deal out of it either. Except for Ino, who tried to cop a feel of my rear when I went to close the door behind me.
I ignored her failed attempt at grabbing my cheeks and offered them my own special brand of tea I created. It's my favorite tea, Ginger with coconut milk and honey. I call it Ambrosia, a word that I found out didn't exist in this world. I trademarked it, of course. I was actually close to being the richest man in the Land of Fire because of that tea, the trademark, and my Array-List Scrolls; those last ones were ridiculously popular. I had at least five clones making some every day.
After a few minutes of them arguing through whispers and me trying and failing to not fall asleep on my couch, I get my own surprise of the day.
"Oh my god! If you won't tell him, I will! Hinata got you two engaged this morning!" Tenten, surprisingly, was the one to yell out in frustration.
"Eh?" I was so shocked I fainted.
Flashback End
I'll admit, I was happy, this was a dream come true for me. But I wasn't sure if it would go well with mom just yet. Ino and Tenten weren't as happy as me about the news and made their displeasure at being denied known. But Hinata told them what she wanted from them afterwards and they had little room to complain, it seemed. Hinata was giving them the opportunity to be in a relationship with me that she'd viciously guarded all of these years, and they weren't about to get picky about how our relationships got started. I asked them if they were sure they wanted to be with me and not with literally anyone else; I was engaged! They just told me to shut up and take them. I wish I could say I did, but they took me instead. Thankfully, no pegging, Hinata stopped Ino from doing that real quick.
"Thanks, Hime-Sama!" I cheered internally as I hugged Hinata after she told me.
Then, when mom, Anko, and Ayame found out about not just the engagement, but Ino and Tenten's new relationship with me, I got a swift spanking from one, a slap from another, and a disappointed look from the other one. I was crushed and felt like crap for days after the fact. The girls talked it over with them, but they insisted I was at fault. I hadn't even done anything!
They insisted that I was seducing them since I met them and were not listening to me. I'd only ever flirted with Hina-chan! But alas, mom was unreasonable in this situation. I got no love from her this time, and I was disillusioned about it. I got so depressed about this last little bit that I hid away from everyone for a few weeks to deal with the emotions caused by this injustice.
They eventually found me and apologized for being so hard and unreasonable about the situation and I got to make everyone do my chores and cook my meals for that last month before graduating. I call that a win hehe.
Anko also got a slice of the Naruto pie when she found out about Hinata's little arrangement with me. An arrangement I was trying and somehow failing to keep hidden. That said, Anko was by far the most loving and caring lay I would ever have in this life. That is a fact. She liked the hotter more intense stuff too, but she was a fucking teddy bear in bed, and I loved how it made me feel so warm and full of love on the inside. Hinata also liked watching us more than anything, apparently, and made sure to learn the Ninja Art: Shadow Clone Jutsu so that she could have one watch if she was busy.
Anyway, Ino and Tenten were not far behind and used any excuse to get me inside their houses to get down and dirty. These girls liked the rush of getting caught apparently. "Fucking perverts! I wanted to have a serious non-harem life this time around. Next time I'll just not be helpful and involved with others and do my own shit. Maybe that way I'll get to decide what I want to do." I think to myself.Thankfully, Ayame wanted to remain my big sister, and I was grateful for it.
Anyway, back to graduation day.
Among the many things that changed and improved over the years was the civilian kids. I'd noticed, throughout the years, that the civilian kids had also started to take things a little more seriously and were trying their best to keep up. I had a feeling that Hinata and Ino had a hand in this, but I wasn't going to address it; it was unimportant at the moment.
I made my way to my customary seat in the front middle row of the class, before being joined by the rest of my friends in short order. Hinata was the first to say hi and claim the spot to my right. She told me she had something she was going to ask me today after graduation, and I really hope that it's what I think it is.
Shino joined my left side with Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, and Kiba taking the row directly behind mine. It was pretty much customary for us to sit in a staggered seating arrangement with three in the front and four directly behind so that we always had at least one pair of us together at school. I don't know when or how it had started, but I thought it was bad ass. Sasuke was technically part of our group, along with Sakura, but they, for some reason none of us could understand, sat together after Hinata's position, though we had our own guesses as to why that might be.
Speaking of… A few minutes later, Sakura came in, looking worse for wear, with a terrible case of bedhead. I sighed. I had tried, along with everyone else, Ino and Kiba included, to get her to train more, never mind seriously, and stop that silly diet of hers.
But she remained steadfast in her obsession with the Uchiha. If nothing else, I admired her dedication. It took until this last year for her to get serious.
Sakura walked up to my group and said, "Hi everyone." With a small wave and tired smile. Ino was the first to respond, "Sakura, what happened? Are you alright?" Hinata got up and started fixing the poor girl's hair, while Ino started patting her clothes to get the wrinkles out and wiping her face with some moistened tissues. "Thanks guys..." She begins with a tired tone.
"I'm fine, it's just that I couldn't sleep last night because of my nerves and ended up missing my alarm this morning. I just woke up about 10 minutes ago." She finished. And at this, everyone paused. Sakura lived 20 minutes away at a jogging pace. No wonder she looked like crap, poor girl ran as fast as her legs could take her.
I whistled. "Damn. With speeds like that, you'd be great at Taijutsu. Or maybe at doing hit and run tactics with some other Ninja Technique." She smiles at me sadly.
"...Probably... I guess I should have taken this more seriously..." She says in a near whimper, tearing up.
"Don't worry, Sakura." Hinata and Ino both began before they looked at each other and Ino continued. "It's not too late to make a comeback. You're already better than you were when you started training with us last spring!" she said enthusiastically.
"She's right, Sakura. You already have the best Chakra Control out of all of us, and you're great with book smarts and grasping complex concepts quickly. You have the potential to be a great kunoichi!" Hinata also gives her two cents, before the guys and I all do our best to reassure her that she'll be okay.
Then after a few minutes of this and the girls fishing up with their touch-ups, she sat down next to Ino and placed her head on Ino's shoulder. "Wake me up when it starts, please..."
...
"She just conked out?! Just like that?!" I raged internally in envy. "I'm so gonna get her to show me how to do that!" I declare passionately to myself.
"It's called stress and exhaustion, brat." Kurama decides to chime in with some snark, but I choose to ignore his comments.
"I'm envious..." I say out loud. Which makes everyone look at me in confusion. "What? Do you have any idea how valuable a skill it is to just fall asleep on command?" I continue, unabashed. Everyone sweatdrops at my reasoning.
It's then that Iruka Sensei makes his appearance and tells us to settle down. He gives us a spiel about finally having the chance to become a Leaf Ninja, and how things will get harder from now on. I ignore most of his ramblings, until he gives us the details of the test. From what I remember, the Old Man said something about measuring chakra quality, capacity, and control before being tested. But I don't know if this would take effect now or in the next class.
"Well class, since this year we have such promising students with incredible potential, the test this year has been changed to establish a more accurate measure of your potential, and viable skillsets for when you become active Ninja for the village." I notice the classroom grows silent and everyone looks at me and my group.
"Well... damn." I think to myself.
He continues with a proud smile. "This device I have with me," He takes a scroll from his back pouch and removes a device very similar to the Chakra Control measuring device the Hokage had showed me all those years ago. "Is going to measure a person's chakra quantity, quality, and control. Hence the name the 'CQ2C Machine'." Cool.
"We will start in order of class ranking up until the tenth spot. Afterwards, you will come and form a line and we will continue from there. Once we're done with that, I will call you up individually to the next room and you will all perform the Clone Jutsu." He finishes.
"Yes, Sensei!" We all cheered.
"Ranking at #1 for the Rookie of the Year Spot, we have: Uzumaki Naruto." My friends all cheer and I blush at the praise. "Come on down, 'uuto-kun'." He says with a smile, referencing the way I used to say my name when I was younger.
All of the girls in class went 'Aw!' at the affectionate term. I jump down ignoring the redness I know is covering me from head to toe. "You've used a similar machine before, right?" I nod. "Good, then it's exactly the same." He points to the input section of the device. I do the thing and it starts beeping rapidly before a series of numbers and letters occupy the large screen. It reads:
#1 Naruto Uzumaki – Rookie of the Year
CP = 8000
KR = A Rank
QP = 9/10
NOTE: Yes, that says eight thousand, it is not a typo. MC is fifteen and has been training properly and intensely for eleven of those years using every trick learned from canon and his own.
I look at the machine for a moment to confirm my thoughts, and look at Iruka, "That's pretty good right?" I ask with an innocent tone and face, already knowing the answer. His eyebrow starts to twitch violently to the point I thought it would fall off and hop on the floor.
"Naruto..." he starts, "How in the Sages name do you have more chakra than Lord Third? And don't say it's because you're special, because that still would not account for half of these results." He says, causing the entire class and the people observing the exam at the Hokage Tower to balk at the absurdity of the statement.
I bask in their wonder before I turn back to Iruka to answer his previous question. "The reason for this is that I'm always training in some form. Reading books and scrolls is training. Doing physical workouts is training. Meditating is training. Practicing my jutsu and control is training. Eating a proper diet can be considered training. Most of the things I do can be considered a form of training." I begin and look at everyone.
"By increasing my understanding about subjects and training my body, I increase my Yin and Yang respectively. Any increase in either or both of these will result in an overall increase in chakra. However, the rate at which a person's chakra grows is directly dependent on the genes of the individual. If someone from a centuries old civilian family, with no shinobi heritage to speak of, were to train like I do for the same amount of time; they would gain much less chakra and would not be able to raise their quality to such a high level." I take a pause 'cuz I need some air. "If someone from a notable Shinobi Clan with generally low reserves did the same, they would possibly be able to increase their chakra by a much higher factor, along with their quality. But it would still not be anywhere near as close to the amount I had gained. But it would be significantly more so than the earlier example. I hail from the once great Uzumaki Clan. A clan known for their massive reserves, incredible life force, and mastery over the sealing arts. Taking advantage of my genetic advantages was only logical." I nod at Shino when I say this, to which he acknowledges with his own nod.
"That said," I begin once I see the civilian kids lose heart. "Having good genetics does not make you a great shinobi. You can be born in a major clan, and have no Bloodline Limit, or have small reserves, or have weak chakra, or have horrible control. Just like you can be born of civilians and be great in any one of these areas, or all of them." I look at everyone in the room. "The only thing that really makes a difference is how hard you train. How dedicated you are to achieving your goals. And how willing you are to receive help when you need it. Greatness is not born. It is made." I finish with no small amount of conviction in my voice.
I could see the fires of determination igniting in all of them. Iruka is the first to start clapping. Followed by my friends. Then everyone else joins in on the applause. I look around, a little bashful, but happy that I could help inspire those around me in a positive manner.
"Well...then...with that said," Iruka begins lamely after the applause. "Let's continue with the next person on our list, shall we?" He decides to just roll with the punches. I like this guy.
The scores for the top ten students were as follows:
#2 Hinata Hyūga - Kunoichi of the year
CP = 1800
KR = S Rank
QP = 8/10
#3 Ino Yamanaka
CP = 1100
KR = B Rank
QP = 5/10
#4 Shikamaru Nara
CP = 1300
KR = B Rank
QP = 5/10
#5 Shino Aburame
CP = 1350
KR = C Rank
QP = 6/10
#6 Choji Akimichi
CP = 1400
KR = C Rank
QP = 6/10
#7 Kiba Inuzuka
CP = 1200
KR = C Rank
QP = 4/10
#8 Sasuke Uchiha
CP = 2000
KR = C Rank
QP = 7/10
#9 Sakura Haruno
CP = 1000
KR = A Rank
QP = 3/10
NOTE: The average Stats for all of the other students are CP: 500, KR: c Rank, QP: 3/10. These are 'normal' stats. The rookies are just OP thanks to MC.
After the Rookie 9 had finished their measurements, I started to stare off into space and think about My Lady and her next visit. Occasionally, I would look around and make eye contact with the students before smiling at them and continuing my reverie. After that was done, we were all asked to show Iruka the Clone Jutsu. I had to make like eight of them to make them passable, but I still passed.
Not so surprising, we were told to wait about a week before coming in to meet our Jonin Sensei, something I hope will bring me a good team along with it.
After graduation I went to the Old Man's office to mooch off some ramen and spend some time with him. I got many different looks as I walked there, but none were mean spirited or angry. I never noticed how much different and better my relationship with the villagers here was in comparison to the original Naruto. I think not being a prankster and being relatively unseen for most of my life here had a hand in that. I spent most of my time growing up in the forests and the Old Man's office, so it tracks.
Once there, I knocked on the office door and waited to be called in. "You may enter" I hear from behind the door and head inside, closing the door after me.
"Hey Old Man, how's it goin'?" I asked the Hokage.
"Naruto, my boy. I see you graduated with flying colors. Tell me, what brings you here? You wish to celebrate perhaps?" Ha! He knows me too well.
"Hehe yeah. I wanted to see if you would get some dinner with me tonight." He thinks it over for a moment before responding.
"The usual place?" He asks me.
"Yup. They said they'd give me the meal for free if I kept the #1 spot the whole time." I responded with excitement.
"Really? Well then, we best get going." He says, standing up.
"Yes!" I cheer and run out of the office with the Old Man trailing behind me.
We get to the Ichiraku Ramen Stand and sit in our usual seats. "Hey Teuchi-san, Ayame-nee! I'm here for my congratulatory ramen!" I say enthusiastically from my spot in the bar.
"Oh, so you managed to keep the #1 spot for the graduation as well?" Teuchi asks me with a grin.
"Yup! And it's all thanks to you and Ayame for motivating me to stay on top". This is true, free ramen will do that for you. He grins and starts preparing the ramen.
Ayame then comes around the counter and gives me a big hug. "Congratulations on graduating Naruto-kun. I'm so happy for you". She finishes and then gives me a kiss on the cheek before heading back behind the counter. Giggling at my silly expression. I still had a huge crush on Ayame, even if I resolved to her just being my sister figure, and she liked to tease me about it every chance she got.
The rest of the evening went on with me talking to them about the test and how well all my friends did. With me asking the Old Man if he had already chosen the teams, and how he determined them. Many questions were asked, few were answered, which had me suspecting that he just wanted to see me pout because every time I did, he would get a happy look in his eyes. "He must be worried what the shinobi lifestyle will do to me...", I thought when I saw it. I continued to talk with the Old Man, Teuchi and Ayame throughout the night before heading home and keeping my promise to myself to sleep in at least once a month.
The rest of the week went by with very little of note. I went on a few dates with Hinata, met Hanabi for the first time, and she was so adorable! Got together with Lee and Tenten to spar… amongst other things I did with Tenten… and finished my newest Pervy Jutsu, Hidden Art: Infinite Desires Genjutsu.
It's a genjutsu that I invented to show people what they want out of a situation, and twist it into something that reflects their deepest, most carnal desires. I used it on Hinata and Anko once to practice it and they both begged me to use them again. Yes, that was their exact wording. Those two are way too thirsty. Anko, I get, she was essentially celibate because of that promise she made me when I was a kid, so now that we were… intimate, she took every chance she could get. But Hinata just turned 15, and she's worse than Jiraiya almost, and I know for a fact, that I had nothing to do with this. You might not believe me, but I am innocent!
Speaking of the pervert, he sent me the Toad Summoning Contract to sign a few days after I had graduated. Along with his entire Make-Out Series, and permission to use my father's scrolls to train - which was great, because I was in need of something new to work on. I had finished studying most of my Clan's Techniques but was still not sure if I should start to work on recreating the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken so early. I already did create the Wind Style: Rasengan, though.
After trying the summoning for the first time and getting Gamakichi to pop up, I decided getting to know him for a bit was best. I asked him everything he knew or had heard about how the toads fought and asked if it was best to start learning how to fight with the toads now or if I should wait a bit. I wouldn't be starting that until after teams had been arranged, but it was good to know beforehand. He was all for hanging out and helping me get the other toads to train with me if I ever needed help convincing them. We became fast friends and I would often summon him to just hang out when not on a mission or on my off days.
Then, after the week was done, the day of team assignments came, and I fucking called it.
"Alright everyone, calm down. I'll start calling out teams and we will be taking a one-hour lunch break before your new sensei come to pick you up." Iruka began, surprisingly not having to use his Ninja Art: Big Demon Head Jutsu to get us to quiet down. He seemed pleased at this.
Teams 1 through 6 were called and the students quickly changed seats to get closer to their teammates before meeting their sensei. "Hm? This is different. I wonder what changed?" I thought to myself as I used my sensory abilities to check everyone else's chakra levels. Everyone here seems to have gotten stronger over the week, their chakra is also a lot less...bubbly? I have a sneaking suspicion that things may have changed more than I originally thought.
"Team 7 will be Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura. Your sensei will be Jonin Hatake Kakashi." Iruka informs. "Well...shit. At least, Sakura isn't as rabid a fangirl this time. She didn't even cheer at being with the Uchiha. Sasuke's my boi so I know this shit going to be fire." I finished my thoughts excitedly.
"Team 8 will be Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. Your Sensei will be Jonin Yūhi Kurenai." He continues, and I notice Hinata give Kiba and Shino the thumbs up. Though I know that she's a little disappointed to not be on a team with me. "I feel the same Hina-chan!" I cry out internally with anime tears running down my face.
"Team 9 is still in rotation, Team 10 will be Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. Your Sensei will be Jonin Sarutobi Asuma." He finishes and I can see my bossy seductress already getting on her teammate's cases. I sent them an apologetic look.
"Please come back in an hour to meet your Jonin Sensei. Until then, you're dismissed." Iruka says before he leaves using the Body Flicker he taught me as a graduation gift.
I headed over to my friends and said, "Hey everyone, you guys want to go out for barbecue while we wait?" I get a round of nods and cheers. They nod and we all head out together to the barbecue restaurant that Choji swears by.
It's a good time, with everyone commenting on what they think their Sensei will be like, and what they'll be learning from them. I decided to tell my team about Kakashi's legendary tardiness and convinced them to start training with me while we waited for him to show up.
Hinata told her teammates about mom, and Ino asked me if I knew Asuma since he had the same last name as the Old Man. I told them what I had heard about the Hokage's son and told them that he was a pretty easy-going guy with a love for shogi - this caught Shika's attention - and barbecue - this got Choji's.
After eating we all went back to the classroom and everyone, but my team and I had left with their sensei. Sigh.
